Air Turks and Caicos (AirTAC) is celebrating after securing the right to fly another new Caribbean route.
The Provo-based airline has been granted a licence to operate to and from the Cayman Islands.
The decision means a boost to the TCI’s economy, with a number of new jobs set to be created.
“We are delighted”, said AirTAC Chairman, Lyndon Gardiner. We worked really hard on this application and I’m pleased that the Air Transport Licensing Authority of the Cayman Islands and Cayman Islands Civil Aviation Authority recognised this and approved our application.
It’s great news for AirTAC and for the TCI in general. We shall be busy recruiting new flight crews and ground staff and that’s good for the community and good for the economy too.
New staff will also be employed in other centres and so it’s a win, win situation for the whole of the Caribbean.
AirTAC will operate in and out of the sister British Overseas Territory four times a week as part of a round Caribbean service taking in TCI – Jamaica – Cayman Islands – Cuba – Cayman Islands – Jamaica – TCI.
Gardiner added, The Cayman Islands is another important destination in the expanded Caribbean connection service which AirTAC is focused on developing.
It is our aim to open up the skies between the Northern Caribbean and offer connections to all the countries in this region.
This is the first time the Caymans have been available as a destination from the TCI without having to go to the United States first. That’s great news for both commerce, tourism and for those with friends and family in either country.
The granting of permission to operate routes such as these is saving people time, effort and money and that can only be good in these tough economic times.
AirTAC are making significant investment into the new route, including the purchase of a new Embraer EMB 120 aircraft. And the pro-active airline will also be doing all it can to promote the TCI as a holiday destination by partnering with the TCI Tourist Board in promoting the country.
We are very proud to represent the TCI, added Gardiner, and we feel we are ambassadors for the country when going about our business.
That means promoting the TCI as a tourist destination at every opportunity and that’s something we will definitely be doing in the Caymans as we seek to offer tourist the opportunity to visit both countries on one vacation!
The new Cayman Islands service will begin as soon as further regulatory approvals from Jamaica and Cuba are received.
