Island Air pledges to continue to service the Sister Islands for a further 15 years

Thursday, August 26, 2004

Click here for full article

Reader comments:

• Anything the Cayman Government gets involved in is all messed up. I refuse to fly or recommend Cayman Airways to my friends. I will pay more to go on a normal airline including Island Air. This Cayman government makes the Clinton Administration ready for sainthood - Dave
  
   
• Mr. Cumber should be mindful of the following: (1) His grandfather came and found the “old mentality” here; (2) His father and grandfather decided to stay here in this “old mentality” island, which they now call home; (3) It’s the “old mentality” and for the most part Caymanian loyalty that has kept Island Air afloat. Last but not least, after Island Air is long gone the “old mentality" will still exist - Old Mentality
  
   
• Well! Hand Mr. Cumber a hankie. He didn't think about fairness when he was landing his planes free of charge, without paying landing fees, on privately owned property, and those same landowners had to pay his exorbitant fares, without any discounts or consideration. Furthermore, his planes had kindergarten size seats, and so squished together that people had to have their knees and lower legs out in the aisles - not to mention that the seat belts were also for kindergarten children. The Cayman Airways Express plane is newer, has larger seats, their seatbelts are much more adequate, and the ride is pleasant. Marcus Cumber was laughing all the way to the bank for years, and while we appreciated the plane service, he had absolutely no sympathy for anyone, and no consideration for those he was taking advantage of. If the truth be known - he owes us a whole heap of money for landing fees, and if he wants to be treated fairly, he should consider treating other people fairly too - Eyes Wide Open Caymanian
  
   
• In reply to the letter in Wednesday, 1 September 2004 issue, I don't think that some people have any idea the running costs of an airplane! I hardly think that Island Air fares were "exorbitant" The flight to Little Cayman is approximately 90 miles and the fare just over $100, that works out at just over a dollar a mile. Quite a few of the larger cars on the island cost that much to run and they don't have a fleet of technicians, ground staff and offices to incorporate. The agreement of waiving the landing fees would have been to accommodate the transportation of cargo supplies to the sister islands such as post, provisions and the Cayman Net News, etc. His planes were governed by the take off and landing facilities in Little Cayman, so he could hardly use a commercial airliner for the job. The size of the seats therefore is governed by the size of the plane. As Island Air is not subsidized by the Cayman Islands Government, the company was expected to make a profit in order to pay the running costs & maintenance for each aircraft required to provide a safe flight, also to provide people of the Cayman Islands with employment, thus assisting the economy. Cayman Airways is supported by the government, so can afford to buy newer, improved aircraft but Cayman Airways is also running at a loss, which in turn also has an effect on the economy. I think we should be grateful for the service that Island Air has been providing for many years. Without it we would have had to rely on chartering private aircraft and boats. As far as "Mr. Cumber laughing all the way to the bank for years" goes, I very much doubt it! I don't see how he was taking advantage of anyone and I don't know of any airline that has "sympathy" with anyone when it comes to ticket pricing - Grateful Traveler

Back...