March 16 2020

Following the Cayman Islands Government’s (CIG) decision today to temporarily close passenger air traffic in and out of Grand Cayman, and to limit domestic flights between Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands to help safeguard the Cayman Islands from the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Cayman Airways is in the process of making the necessary adjustments to its operations, and to assist customers with finalizing their travel needs.

The CIG announced that for a period of three weeks, commencing at 11:59pm on Sunday March 22, 2020, all commercial passenger flights will cease inbound and outbound at Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA) and at the Charles Kirkconnell International Airport (CKIA).  Prior to the halting of passenger flights, visitors to the Cayman Islands will not be allowed to enter the country as of 11:59pm on Thursday March 19, 2020, except for visitors from the UK.

Cayman Airways is currently in the process of contacting those customers with existing reservations for travel during this time, but customers may also call Cayman Airways Reservations, or contact their travel professional, to make the necessary changes to their travel itinerary. 

Additionally, as announced by CIG, as of 11:59pm on Sunday March 22, 2020, transportation between Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands will be restricted to Sister Island residents and essential persons only. Passengers not meeting this criteria should contact Cayman Airways right away to make the required adjustments to their travel itineraries. Cayman Airways will operate a revised domestic schedule during this time, to appropriately match the number of seats to the actual demand.

ADJUSTED BOOKING PROCESS AND LIMITED CASH TRANSACTIONS

As of Tuesday, March 17, 2020, all changes to existing reservations must now be done through the Cayman Airways Reservations Call Center or via travel professionals only. The Cayman Airways ticket offices will open only for cash collections between 10am and 1pm, Monday – Friday. Click HERE to learn more.

CHANGE-FEE WAIVERS

Cayman Airways is continuing to offer change-fee waivers for customers with existing tickets purchased prior to March 3, 2020. The airline will also be waiving fare differences providing the passenger remains in the same cabin as originally booked. Any passenger wishing to make changes to an existing ticket for either international or domestic travel may do so without being subject to the change fee, providing:

• Travel is on Cayman Airways (waiver applies only to CAL flights)
• The ticket was purchased prior to March 3, 2020
• Travel is scheduled between March 2, 2020 – June 30, 2020

Travel can be rebooked within the validity of the original ticket. However, changes must be made on or before December 31, 2020. Fare differences will not apply providing there is no change in cabin. Any student returning to the Cayman Islands due to the closure of the educational institution they are attending abroad, regardless of the date of travel, will be eligible for a waiver.

TOLL FREE RESERVATIONS NUMBERS

For more information and to request itinerary changes or book new tickets, customers can call Cayman Airways Reservations on: 345-949-2311; 1-800-422-9626 (toll free in the USA); 866-759-1372 (toll free in Jamaica); or 800-2791-9422 (toll free in Honduras). Click  HERE to learn more.

CAYMAN AIRWAYS CARGO

Cayman Airways Cargo will continue to operate Cargo flights into Grand Cayman and to and from the Sister Islands. Depending on demand for its air cargo service, Cayman Airways is expecting to add capacity to both Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands as may be necessary.
RESUMING NORMAL OPERATIONS

At this time, commercial passenger flights are expected to resume at 11:59pm on April 12, 2020 per the GIG announcement. During this time, customers will still be able to book tickets for travel on scheduled Cayman Airways flights to and from the Cayman Islands after April 12, 2020, unless the CIG order changes.

PROTECT YOURSELF

To learn more about protecting yourself from the Coronavirus, visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website in the USA at cdc.gov/coronavirus or visit the Cayman Islands Government’s website at www.gov.ky/coronavirus. 

To stay updated on the latest Cayman Airways news, visit www.caymanairways.com/latest-news.