Georgetown, Cayman Islands -- May 15, 2008 -- Cayman Airways will soon acquire two larger-capacity turboprop aircraft, to enable direct flights from South Florida to Cayman Brac.

Minister of Tourism, Environment, Investment and Commerce, the Hon. Charles Clifford, said in the House 12 May, that two 50-seater Saab 2000 planes will be added to CAL's fleet of three Boeing 737-300s.

The Saab 2000s have the ability to fly high and fast. They can fly up to 31,000 feet in altitude, making them more comfortable for flights over Cuba during summer months, when cloud activity is higher in that area, Mr Clifford said.

The aircraft also can fly at 425 mph, making the journey only about 10 minutes longer to Miami than trips on the jets, he added.

In his contribution to the ongoing Throne Speech, budget address, and policy statement debate, Mr Clifford said that with the Saab 2000s, Cayman Airways will increase service to the Sister Islands; and regionally, to Central America, Cuba and South Florida. Roundtrip, direct flights would be offered between Cayman Brac and either Miami or Tampa, opening the South Florida market to the Sister Islands, he said.

The Minister underscored that the Twin Otters, which now provide inter-island service on CAL Express, will continue to fly. However, flights on the Saab 2000s would be extended to Little Cayman once its airstrip infrastructure is upgraded, making it possible to sell the Twin Otters, he added.