GEORGE TOWN — Porter Airlines’ inaugural flight from Toronto landed in Grand Cayman with great fanfare – and ahead of schedule.

Passengers were welcomed on the tarmac by the Deputy Premier and Minister of Tourism, Gary Rutty; Chief Officer in the Ministry of Tourism, Stran Bodden; and Director of Tourism, Rosa Harris.

The celebration continued inside the terminal where visitors were officially ‘welcomed to vaCay’ with a festive celebration featuring a live steel drum performance, a beverage station by local farm-to-table restaurant Cayman Cabana, special commemorative gifts and a photo opportunity with the Cayman Islands’ mascot Sir Turtle.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the first time Porter has operated service to the Cayman Islands.

Remarks were delivered by Deputy Premier Rutty, Chief Officer Bodden, and Director of Tourism Harris, alongside Eghtedar Manouchehri, VP, Airport Operations for Porter Airlines, and Albert Anderson, CEO, Cayman Islands Airport Authority.

“We are thrilled to welcome Porter Airlines to The Cayman Islands,” said Deputy Premier Rutty. “Canadians know Porter for its terrific service, comfort, and care – qualities that perfectly complement Cayman’s own world-renowned hospitality. In short, this is a match made in VaCay heaven.”

Manouchehri said: “As we expand service to Grand Cayman, we recognize the steady interest among Canadians to experience the culture, beauty and hospitality of these remarkable islands, and of course, the sun – as it was quite cloudy and cold when we took off this morning [from YYZ].”

Porter will operate service from Toronto to Grand Cayman three times per week. Porter will also introduce nonstop service to Grand Cayman from Ottawa starting Dec. 19.

Lead image caption (l-r): Captain Ralph Yeo, Porter Airlines; Sir Turtle; Albert Anderson, CEO, Cayman Islands Airport Authority; Eghtedar Manouchehri, VP, Airport Operations, Porter Airlines; Deputy Premier, Gary Rutty, Cayman Islands Minister of Tourism; Stran Bodden, Chief Officer, Cayman Islands Ministry of Tourism; Rosa Harris, Cayman Islands Director of Tourism; Raymond Mathias, BDM, Canada, Cayman Islands Department of Tourism; and Purser Patty Marzec, Porter Airlines at Owen Roberts International Airport in Grand Cayman