By Georgina Wilcox

Cayman Airways, in a release, has said a private aircraft that was maneuvering on the ramp at the Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA) has damaged their Express Saab 340B+ aircraft by its jet blast.

The Saab was parked and secured for the night of Thursday 24 March when the damage occurred.

Although Cayman Airways Limited (CAL) described the damage as minor, the plane has been removed from its upcoming scheduled operations in order to conduct the necessary repairs and is expected to resume service later this week.

“During this period, Cayman Airways has made alternate scheduling and aircraft arrangements to ensure that all passengers are able to be accommodated with minimal inconvenience until the Saab is back in service,” the airline stated.

The Saab is expected to resume service later this week.

Cayman Airways CEO Fabian Whorms said that the Saab had been operating very reliably since its full launch into service, replacing the previously leased Embraer 120 in January.

“So to have this unanticipated removal from service over the Easter weekend was very disappointing,” he added. “Cayman Airways apologises for any inconvenience caused during this period and we thank our loyal customers for their continued support.”

A spokesperson for the Airports Authority said, there is an ongoing CIAA investigation into the incident. “ Once completed [it] will be reviewed by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands. It would be improper to comment at this early point in the investigation,” the spokesperson added.

The Saab has been serving the Grand Cayman/Cayman Brac route exclusively since November 2015.