CAL Express fleet review hinges on LC airport project: Cayman News Service

(CNS): Cayman Airways will renew its domestic express fleet in the coming years and is looking into reviewing the Saab aircraft currently flying between Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac to find a suitable replacement, Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan told Parliament recently. But the decision may depend on the outcome of a controversial proposal to build a new airport on Little Cayman against the wishes of the majority of residents.

In addition to the two Saabs, Cal Express also has two Twin Otters that fly to and from the Cayman Islands. These small aircraft are suitable for landing on the short runway at Edward Bodden Airport on Little Cayman, but require special permission from the Civil Aviation Authority because the airport does not meet international safety regulations.

China Airlines has already purchased a third Twin Otter aircraft, which will arrive this month, but in the long term, the airline hopes to replace these smaller planes, as well as the Saab aircraft serving Cayman Brac, with one aircraft to cover all domestic routes.

Bryan told parliament that Cayman Airways has hired an aviation consulting firm to conduct the studies and analysis “necessary to determine the best alternative” and is currently evaluating an early report that will ultimately lead to a recommendation to government on the purchase of new aircraft. However, that decision will be influenced by the events on Little Cayman.

Currently, China Airlines must regularly obtain a flight exemption certificate to fly to Little Cayman, and this requirement has been in place for many years. Although Twin Otter aircraft have been flying safely to Little Cayman for decades, removing the exemption would immediately kill all tourism to the island and put local residents in a difficult situation. However, Bryan claimed that recently, the Governor’s Office, which is responsible for aviation safety, indicated that this special exemption may be revoked.

However, he assured MPs that would not happen in September and said the certificate would almost certainly be renewed next month, especially given that the new Twin Otter would be available in the coming weeks.

The government said this was because the Cayman Islands Airports Authority is currently developing plans to rebuild the airports on all three islands. All of these plans have sparked a series of controversies, such as cost, engineering soundness and negative environmental impact. But the proposal to build a new airport on Little Cayman is the most controversial of all.

While plans to build a new airport pose a significant and immediate threat to the natural habitat at the proposed site, residents of Little Cayman are also concerned Wider impact The expansion of the airport will lead to increased development and tourism, putting the islands’ natural resources and marine habitats at greater risk.

While Bryan said there was an option to expand and improve the existing airport to meet the requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority, he believed that this would be too expensive and difficult as it would require the acquisition of property. The Minister made it clear that while no decision had been made, his preference was to relocate the airport.

Responding to a question from MP Moses Kirkconnell, who represents western Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, last month, Bryan described the situation as delicate. He claimed the government was seeking a “balance,” a concept environmentalists have grown increasingly concerned about as the government always seems to favor development.

However, Bryan acknowledged the strong desire of the Little Cayman community to keep the airport in its current location. petition A recent campaign by the Sister Islands Tourism Association reflects local opposition to the new airport and the determination of those who oppose it. Oppose the proposal Build a bigger airport.

The petitioners said they believe there are other options that have not yet been considered.

“Those pushing for this change have tried to portray this as an inevitable and necessary change, but we do not accept that,” the petition reads. “We are aware that other airports around the world, including in our region, are unable to comply with all regulations and are therefore granted certain exemptions or waivers to ensure safety is not compromised.”