2023 touted as a transformative year 

he national flag carrier of the Cayman Islands, Cayman Airways Limited (CAL), announces that its 2023 annual passenger volume has surpassed pre-pandemic levels. 

The airline transported a total of 422,189 passengers in 2023, exceeding the 410,800 passengers carried in 2019. This accomplishment not only signifies a resurgence in travel demand, but also showcases Cayman Airways’ dedication to meeting and exceeding the airlift needs of the Cayman Islands while operating successfully in a competitive and dynamic industry.

Minister for Tourism and Ports, the Hon. Kenneth Bryan, said: “I am proud to extend my sincere congratulations to the management and staff of our national airline, Cayman Airways, on this noteworthy accomplishment. This increase in passenger volume is a clear indication of the airline’s strength within an intensely competitive aviation industry, and is a result they have worked very hard to attain. I am also particularly pleased that the service enhancements and operational streamlining introduced in 2023 have enhanced the airline’s sustainability and resilience amidst ongoing global challenges. As we celebrate this achievement, I am confident that the collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Tourism and our national airline, coupled with their commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience, will continue to drive growth in our dynamic tourism sector. I look forward to this outcome, and wish the management and staff of Cayman Airways every success in 2024.”

Chairman of the Board of Directors for Cayman Airways, Dr. John-Paul Clarke, added: “The airline business is a service business. It provides services that meet the needs of their customers and make their lives easier. In that context, the record number of passengers on Cayman Airways is indicative that Cayman Airways and its dedicated employees continue to provide safe, convenient, and economical ways to travel to and from the Cayman Islands.”

In recognizing the 2023 passenger volume rebound, Cayman Airways President and CEO, Fabian Whorms, attributed much of the progress to the tremendous efforts of the dedicated staff at the airline.  “As a company, we take pride in delivering outstanding customer service and this commitment ultimately rests on the shoulders of our exceptional team.  Whether it is curating the initial schedule or providing convenient travel arrangement options for passengers or offering comfortable and on-time flights, our people at Cayman Airways are consistently focused on providing a top-quality experience.” 

Mr. Whorms additionally noted: “As we recognize our staff and celebrate the successes of 2023, we are thrilled that our passenger volume growth in 2023 occurred alongside a significant 27% reduction in fuel consumption, amounting to 1.84 million fewer gallons compared to 2019. This achievement reflects the results of Cayman Airways’ proactive measures, including our modern Boeing 737-8 Max fleet, allowing us to use significantly less fuel per flight while accommodating more passengers. Our strategic adjustments in flight offerings and aircraft usage also enabled us to fly 1,217 fewer hours in 2023, showcasing the fruit of our strategic approach to operational efficiency.”

Despite global challenges and changes in travel patterns, Cayman Airways officials said 2023 ultimately emerged as a transformative year for the airline. The 2023 passenger volume marks the third-highest passenger volume in the airline’s history and was achieved while the airline balanced the launch of new service with the rationalization of existing supply to match demand. Throughout, Cayman Airways has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to serving customers while adapting to evolving circumstances. 

Among the notable milestones of 2023 for Cayman Airways:

1. Promotions and new hires of Caymanians within the airline’s Cabin Crew and Pilot complements 
2. Successful first year of Cayman Airways’ service to Los Angeles, surpassing expectations, and signifying demand for an additional flight weekly
3. Relaunch of service to Panama in June 2023, in collaboration with interline partner Copa Airlines
4. Implementing charging ports for personal devices in the economy cabin
5. Revamped inflight meal offerings
6. Implementation of standardized baggage fees
7. Enhancements to the online check-in process
8. Enhancement of the “Manage My Booking” feature on caymanairways.com, empowering passengers to make changes to existing bookings online
9. Participation in the United States’ TSA Pre-Check program, providing enrolled passengers expedited security procedures at applicable USA airports
10. Expansion of interline partnerships by adding two new airlines to its roster

“The successes in passenger volume and other numerous achievements are particularly remarkable, given the persistent challenge of escalating costs,” added Executive Vice President of Commercial Affairs and Chief Financial Officer, Paul Tibbetts. “The ongoing surge in worldwide oil prices, growth in supplier costs and regulatory-mandated cost increases continued to pose challenges to the airline throughout 2023.  The efforts of our dedicated team, in partnership with the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, have produced strong passenger growth resulting in corresponding revenue growth, critical to offset those rising expenses.  As a company, Cayman Airways remains committed to delivering the best possible customer experience to travelers, while at the same time exploring avenues to curtail costs and enhance revenue streams.”