Airlines Resume Fort Lauderdale, Cayman Route

By Stuart Wilson

The resumption of direct flights from Fort Lauderdale to the Cayman Islands by JetBlue and Spirit Airlines was celebrated on the tarmac at the Owen Robert International Airport (ORIA) on 4th December.

Government officials including the Minister for Tourism and Acting Premier, the Honourable Gary Rutty and the Minister for Planning, the Honorable Jay Ebanks were joined by Department of Tourism staff members, along with Cayman Airways’ Sir Turtle mascot and members of the press, who greeted the aircraft.

Travelers were both surprised and entertained by the hearty welcome, which was followed by sorrel cocktails, and the music of the steel-pan once inside the terminal.

The new Spirit Airlines route introduces another option for a simple, nonstop connection from South Florida without needing to route through Miami or Tampa, according to officials, who said the flights also strengthened Spirit’s Caribbean footprint.

The Cayman Islands Spirit route will be operated by the Airlines’ standard Airbus A320-family aircraft, with flights on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

JetBlue flights from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Cayman will operate on Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays. 

The airline already operates flights between Grand Cayman and New York.

Tourism Minister, the Honourable Gary Rutty noted that the development of the Florida route, “….is very important to the Cayman Islands,” adding that the Ministry is expecting and ‘banner’ tourism season.