First repatriation flight leaves for Miami

Cayman Airways flight KX3102 left Grand Cayman’s Owen Roberts International Airport at 11am Friday bound for Miami, taking passengers to the United States on one of two flights specially organised by the Government. The flight was due to land in Miami at 1.30pm.

Strict protocols were observed by airline and airport staff who were wearing face masks and kept the required distance from passengers and staff, while passengers were also required to wear face masks before boarding and for the duration of the journey. Passengers adhered to social distancing requirements while in the Owen Roberts International Airport and queuing up to board the aircraft. When on board, passengers were only permitted to sit in window and aisle seats, with the middle seat kept empty to aid in maintaining social distancing, a necessary precaution in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 corona virus.

A second flight, KX3113 (operated by World Atlantic), departed Miami at 11am, arriving on Grand Cayman at 11:30am and brought with it Caymanians and/or Permanent Residents who were authorised by the Government to travel inbound to the Cayman Islands. Non-Caymanians (including work permit-holders) had to have been granted special permission to travel to Cayman.

This aircraft will turn around and fly back to Miami operating as flight KX3114 departing Grand Cayman at 12:30pm and arriving in Miami at 3pm, repatriating more people looking to travel to the United States.

The Government is working with other governments in the region to organise more repatriation flights, but these will be based upon need. People who wish to leave the islands can call the Travel Hotline on 244-3333 or by emailing emergencytravel@gov.ky.