Ministry of Tourism Requests More British Airways Flights

28 May 2021, 05:59 AM

Tourism, Covid 19

Due to the level of demand over the summer period, the Ministry of Tourism and Transport has reached out to British Airways (BA) to request for two additional flights to be added to the schedule in July and August.

Earlier this week the Ministry released the proposed British Airways fortnightly schedule consisting of eight flights over the next three months, from June to September. These flights have now been confirmed.

Responding to concerns from Cayman Islands residents, the Ministry approached BA to request additional flights departing London Heathrow on 7 July and 18 August. Once a response has been received from BA the public will be updated.

Minister for Tourism and Transport, Hon. Kenneth Bryan, said, “Following the release of the new BA schedule we received a high number of requests from the public for additional flights to repatriate students, and persons needing to travel to and from the UK. The Ministry has responded to the needs of the community by requesting two additional BA flights. I continue to sympathise with families who are separated during this pandemic. Let me reassure you that we are listening and are working hard to facilitate as many repatriation flights as possible during this difficult period while global travel remains impacted by COVID-19.”

The Ministry of Tourism once again takes this opportunity to remind the public that while the Cayman Islands borders are closed, the only two airlines permitted to offer repatriation flights to and from the Cayman Islands are British Airways (BA) and Cayman Airways.

The dates of approved flights, along with the latest official travel information, are published via Government channels. Additionally, the Cayman Islands Government website www.exploregov.ky/travel and the Travel Cayman portal are regularly updated with the latest travel information, including confirmed British Airways flight dates once approved.

Travellers who make reservations for unconfirmed flights (ghost flights) directly with airlines are doing so at their own risk. Furthermore, the vouchers issued by airlines, often in lieu of a cash refund when unconfirmed flights are cancelled, are not transferrable to British Airways or Cayman Airways.

Details of the confirmed British Airways repatriation schedule can be found at www.exploregov.ky/faqs/covid-19-inbound-travel