Air arrivals drop in May

(CNS Business:) Statistics show air arrivals for the month of May have dropped by 6% when compared to the same month last year. The data revealed 29,265 tourists traveled to the islands by plane, which is 1,859 less than the 31,124 airline passengers who flew to Cayman in May 2014.

Before this decline, for the past five years air arrival numbers have continued to rise. Although May is usually the start of what’s considered the “slow season” for tourists traveling to the islands, cruise arrivals also saw a 2% dip in the amount of cruise passengers entering the George Town Harbour. The data showed 95,072 tourists came ashore, which is 2,245 less when compared to the 97,317 cruise arrival number in the same month last year.

However, air arrivals may see a spike at the end of this year. The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism recently announced that United Airlines will soon offer new nonstop services to Grand Cayman out of both Chicago and Washington DC during the winter months.

Starting on 19 December, airline passengers out of the Chicago area can experience nonstop service from O’Hare International Airport to Owen Roberts International Airport on Saturdays through 30 April, 2016. The plane will depart ORD at 10:40 am and arrive to Grand Cayman at 3:40 pm and will leave GCM at 12:39 pm and arrive to Chicago at 3:44pm.

Also, passengers leaving from Washington Dulles International Airport to Grand Cayman will have the same opportunity four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays through 4 May, 2016. Flights on Monday, Wednesday and Sunday will depart IAD at 12:20 pm and arrive to Grand Cayman at 3:49 pm, while Saturday flights will depart at 8:15 am and arrive to the destination at 11:44 am. All return flights will leave GCM at 4:44 pm and arrive to Washington D.C. at 8:03 pm.

“We are so grateful for the continued support of United Airlines to expand connectivity to the Cayman Islands in core US markets such as Chicago and Washington DC,” said Cayman Islands Minister for Tourism, Moses Kirkconnell. “The addition of these new routes affirms the Cayman Islands as a preferred Caribbean destination and presents tremendous opportunity to increase visitation and overall brand positivity.”

The new routes will operate on a Boeing 737-800 aircraft and will conveniently offer Chicago customers the opportunity to connect in Washington DC.

“We are deeply encouraged by United’s decision to expand service to the Cayman Islands, making it more accessible than ever for consumers during especially high-travel periods,” added Director of Tourism Rosa Harris. “With these new flight options, guests now have more flexibility regarding travel to our beautiful destination, which we hope will continue to encourage consideration and future tourist arrivals as a result.”

United Airlines currently operates flights to Cayman out of Houston and Newark.

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