Cayman Islands Boost Recovery and Air Connectivity
The Cayman Islands have shown remarkable resilience in their post-pandemic recovery, becoming one of the Caribbean’s top destinations despite being the last territory to reopen after the global shutdown. In 2024, the islands welcomed over 430,000 stayover visitors—a 2% increase over the previous year—with March 2024 marking the second-highest number of arrivals in history. This steady growth is driven by strategic marketing efforts, increased air connectivity, and active participation in travel trade shows. The Cayman Islands Investment and Development Office (CIDOT) has played a pivotal role in this recovery, launching marketing activations and collaborating closely with tourism stakeholders to strengthen the destination’s appeal all year round.
Air connectivity has been a critical factor in this success. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Cayman Islands experienced a significant boost in its airlift during 2024. The destination saw 884,279 airline seats offered, an 8% increase, along with 5,342 flights arriving—a gain of 461 flights compared to 2023. Enhanced services from major U.S. carriers such as United Airlines, which increased flights from Newark, Washington DC, and Houston, and JetBlue’s boost to three weekly flights from Boston have contributed to this growth. Delta Airlines also added more frequency on its Atlanta and Minneapolis routes, while Sun Country Airlines resumed its direct seasonal flight from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in December.
The strong performance extends beyond the United States. Canadian visitors grew by 5.3% in 2024, marking the second-best annual performance in the destination’s history. Air Canada and WestJet increased their direct services from Toronto, with a combined addition of 36 flights. In continental Europe, visitation grew by 12.3% over the year, with a 3.9% rise in arrivals from the UK and Ireland. The focus on boosting air connectivity is set to continue, with CIDOT actively exploring opportunities to maintain and improve load factors while working closely with airline partners.
In the near future, the Cayman Islands will see further expansion in its hospitality and infrastructure. Early in 2026, the addition of over 600 hotel rooms is expected to drive even greater demand for additional air services. Simultaneously, Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM) is undergoing a runway extension known as the New Window project. This upgrade aims to attract long-distance flights and open new routes, particularly from continental Europe. Currently, British Airways operates a London service, but the enhanced runway is expected to facilitate direct connections to additional European destinations such as France, Germany, and Italy. Active discussions are underway to secure these new services, signaling a promising future for the islands’ air connectivity.
CIDOT’s short-term strategy focuses on maintaining existing routes and improving load factors while capitalizing on the positive momentum gained in recent years. The organization regularly connects with key airline decision-makers at industry events like Routes Americas and the CAPA Airline Leader Summit, where stakeholders analyze trends and identify new opportunities. These efforts ensure that the Cayman Islands remain a competitive and attractive destination for leisure travelers from around the world, with a clear roadmap for continued growth and enhanced global connectivity.
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