Inaugural Flight landed Thursday, 15 November, 2012

Premier McKeeva Bush OBE, JP was on hand today along with other Ministers and dignitaries to welcome JetBlue Airways, which touched down today at Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA), marking the first of its two new services into the Cayman Islands. The US based airline known for its award-winning service and low fares, will operate a year round, non-stop service from New York, as well as a seasonal service from Boston, which is due to commence on Saturday 17th November.

“These highly anticipated new services mark an important milestone in the on-going challenge to grow visitation from the North-eastern US region, which is home to two of our top source markets,” said the Premier, “and reaching this agreement to provide services is the culmination of much time, effort and many discussions between government agencies here in Cayman and representatives from JetBlue. Finally reaching this day is an exciting accomplishment that will undoubtedly bring us closer to achieving our goal of increasing visitors to the Cayman Islands and we are delighted that this alliance has been solidified with such a well-respected and guest-oriented airline that is willing to work with us for mutual benefit.”

The inaugural flight arrived amidst much fanfare, which included a water cannon salute courtesy of the Cayman Islands Fire Department. Following the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony at the aircraft steps, disembarking passengers were clearly delighted to be greeted with music and dancers, which added to the overall atmosphere of merriment and fun. Later, at a brief reception held at the airport’s waving gallery, the Premier presented JetBlue’s Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Eash Sundarame with a model jet liner carved from Caymanite, as a token of appreciation and symbol of the valued partnership that is expected to exist between the two entities into the future.

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Director of Tourism, Shomari Scott who participated in the welcome reception also expressed his delight that JetBlue had commenced service into Grand Cayman. “New York City ranks in the top spot from a visitation perspective and Boston ranks at number 4, so having a highly popular brand like Jet Blue bringing travellers to our shores will go a long way to continuing the positive trends that we have been seeing over the last three years from a stayover visitor perspective,” he confirmed.

Just in time for Southbound winter travel, JetBlue Airlines will serve Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM) with three times weekly service on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Saturday only service from Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS) beginning on Nov. 17, 2012.

Footnote: the First Officer of today’s inaugural flight was Caymanian, Paul Wood, who lives in the United States and flies with JetBlue Airways.

Two further stories about JetBlue Airways flight to its newest Caribbean destination, Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands, from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and announcing its Gold Sponsorship with the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme, an endangered species on our island.

JetBlue Airways Takes Flight to its 74th Destination: Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands!

The FINANCIAL

JetBlue Airways takes flight to its newest Caribbean destination, Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands, from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) with three times weekly service on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays JFK to Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM).

Saturday-only service to the Cayman Islands from Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS) will begin this Saturday, Nov. 17. “Grand Cayman is a beautiful destination that offers incredible diversity from cultural, culinary, and lifestyle perspectives, and we’re pleased to offer the most seats between New York and the island,” said Scott Laurence, JetBlue’s vice president of network planning and partnerships. “The pristine white-sand beaches, friendly people, and host of dining, shopping and nightlife options make for a perfect vacation.”

“We are delighted to welcome JetBlue, one of the world’s leading airlines, to our island,” said Premier and Minister of Tourism Hon. McKeeva Bush. “The new services from New York and Boston respectively will greatly enhance our Islands accessibility for Southbound travel and will provide visitors with more choice and flexibility. JetBlue’s commitment to excellence and service is well renowned and we believe this winning partnership will yield mutually beneficial results well into the future.”

“In a few days, these Islands will record 60 years of land-based aviation. It is most coincidental that the Cayman Islands have recorded another important step in our aviation history with the arrival of JetBlue Airways. On behalf of the Cayman Islands Airport s Authority, our Board of Directors, Management Team and Employees; and in fact, the Cayman Islands on a whole, I extend our warmest and most sincere welcome to our Islands. We look forward to a long and successful association with JetBlue Airways!” remarked Mr. Richard Arch, Chairman of the Board for the Cayman Islands Airport s Authority.

As JetBlue Airways reported, to support the local community, JetBlue also announced today a Gold Sponsorship with the Blue Iguana Recovery Program, an endangered species on the island. The Blue Iguana Recovery Program works to restore a self-sustaining, free-roaming population of Grand Cayman Blue Iguanas in the wild. In addition, the airline is launching a “name the iguana” contest on JetBlue’s Facebook page. Visit Facebook.com/JetBlue today through Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012 to submit a name or vote on those submitted names. The winner gets bragging rights and a Blue Iguana named after their winning submission.

JetBlue’s Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer Eash Sundaram joined the Premier of the Cayman Islands the Honorable McKeeva Bush; Richard Arch, MBE, JP, Chairman, Cayman Islands Airport s Authority; Mr. Shomari Scott, Director of Tourism; Jeremy Jackson, CEO, Cayman Islands Airport s Authority; and Miss Cayman Islands to celebrate the new service at GCM today. Customers on the inaugural flight from JFK received plush, blue iguanas and blue pirate hats in honor of Pirates Week on the island, and were greeted by local music and dancers for a festive arrival to the airline’s new destination.

For more on this story go to:

http://finchannel.com/news_flash/Travel_Biz_News/119554_JetBlue_Airways_Takes_Flight_to_its_74th_Destination%3A_Grand_Cayman_in_the_Cayman_Islands!/

Blue Tales from JetBlue

Posted: November 15, 2012

Nonstop to Grand Cayman Starts Today [15]

We’re thrilled to celebrate service to our newest Caribbean destination, Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands, from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) with three times weekly service on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays JFK to Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM).  Saturday-only service to the Cayman Islands from Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS) will begin this Saturday, Nov. 17.

To celebrate our 74^th destination, today through Nov. 19, 2012 flights to GCM from New York are on sale from $139 one way and from Boston as low as $149 one way for travel beginning Dec. 1, 2012 through Feb. 11, 2013. JetBlue Getaways vacation packages to Grand Cayman, including hotel and airfare are also on sale now at www.jetblue.com/vacations starting at just $599 for a three night/four day stay from New York.

To support the local community, we’re pleased to also announce today a Gold Sponsorship with the Blue Iguana Recovery Program, an endangered species on the island. The Blue Iguana Recovery Program works to restore a self-sustaining, free-roaming population of Grand Cayman Blue Iguanas in the wild. In addition, we’re launching a “I-GUANA-REAL-NAME” contest on JetBlue’s Facebook page to name a Blue Iguana. Visit Facebook.com/JetBlue today through Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012 to submit a name or vote on those submitted names. The winner gets bragging rights and a Blue Iguana named after their winning submission.

JetBlue’s schedule between New York and Grand Cayman:

JetBlue’s schedule between Boston and Grand Cayman: