Southwest launches flights to Cayman
Passengers on the inaugural flight with Batabano dancer and Pirates Week representatives
(CNS Local Life): Southwest Airlines began nonstop daily service from Ft Lauderdale to Grand Cayman with its inaugural flight Sunday, 4 June 2017. On hand to celebrate the departure were Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (DoT) officials, who threw a surprise gate party at the southern Florida airport, with the celebration continuing upon touchdown at Owen Roberts International Airport.
Mark Shaw, Southwest Airlines senior vice president, together with Miss Cayman Islands, Anika Conolly, kicked off the celebrations with an honorary ribbon-cutting ceremony at the gate at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), signifying the start of the new daily flight service, stated a DoT press release. Passengers on the flight were treated to live entertainment and dancing evoking Pirates Week and Cayman Carnival Batabano. Rounding out the festivities were destination-inspired giveaways and refreshments prior to the inaugural flight, including rum cakes and miniature stingray plush toys.
During the flight, travellers were entertained by Cayman Carnival dancers and treated to gifts such as complimentary admission to various on-island attractions and free return two-night stays.
Upon landing in Cayman, the travellers were greeted by Southwest Airlines executives and local island performers, along with Conolly, and escorted into the terminal.
“We are so thrilled to welcome Southwest Airlines as our newest airline partner and introduce daily nonstop service from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Cayman, a key US market for us,” said Rosa Harris, Director of Tourism. “We couldn’t imagine a more fitting way to celebrate this exciting new alliance and enhanced accessibility to our destination than with a special ‘Caymankind’ tribute to our loyal guests. This launch helped to set the stage for what we can only hope will be the first of many more memorable visits to our shores.”
Shaw said of the inaugural event: “The airline with heart now brings our world-famous hospitality with wide-reaching smiles to the limitless sand and sea horizon of Grand Cayman,” adding, “We are honoured to make the Cayman Islands the 10th country served by Southwest, America’s largest airline.”
The new route departs FLL daily at 11:45am, arriving Grand Cayman at 12:20pm. The return flight leaves Cayman at 1:15pm, arriving in Fort Lauderdale at 4pm.
Until they start hiring more Caymanians, they could be giving away free tickets, them and the other Airlines that is making it a none Caymanian Experience at the GCM airport, I’m in the future boycotting spending my money with them in the future.
Good luck with that!