Cayman Airways fleet safely positioned overseas during Hurricane Beryl

Wednesday July 3, 2024

The Cayman Airways and Cayman Airways Express fleets have been flown overseas to safety today, July 3, 2024, as part of the airline's strategic hurricane preparedness plans.

Capt. Dave Scott, Executive Vice President of Flight Operations & Chief Operations Officer, noted that the hurricane's projected impact on the Cayman Islands falls on a day of the week when some flights were due to overnight at international airports anyway, which has served as an advantage for the airline's hurricane preparedness plans. 

"Today we had one B737-8 jet that departed Grand Cayman as scheduled to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and that aircraft will remain at LAX airport per usual overnight," he explained. "Likewise, we had one jet aircraft that departed as scheduled to the John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York where it will also remain overnight per usual. The remaining two B737-8 jets have been operating evacuation flights from Grand Cayman to Miami International Airport (MIA) today, so they will remain at MIA overnight for safety during the hurricane."

For the Cayman Airways Express fleet, Capt. Scott confirmed that the two Twin Otter aircraft and one Saab 340B+ aircraft will be positioned at Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPA) in Miami overnight on Wednesday July 3, 2024. He said the second Saab 340B+ aircraft is already positioned overseas where it has been undergoing its annual maintenance.

Mr. Fabian Whorms, President and CEO of Cayman Airways, stated: "We sincerely thank all of our employees for coming together so swiftly and professionally over these past few days as we concentrated our focus on planning and implementing evacuation flights on behalf of the Cayman Islands Government and the local tourism industry. We particularly thank our pilots and flight attendants, as well as other key staff, who have volunteered to travel overseas with our fleet, with or without their families, to help ensure the business continuity of our airline after this major hurricane."

Mr. Whorms confirmed that the airline is already coordinating with the Cayman Islands Airports Authority (CIAA) to ensure the earliest possible return of its fleet to the Cayman Islands after the passage of this hurricane.

“The airline stands ready to assist the Cayman Islands Government with further evacuation and supply flights after the passage of Hurricane Beryl if it becomes necessary, while our regular flight schedule will resume as soon as possible after the storm,” he said.