Cayman Airways wins Caribbean’s Leading Airline at 2026 World Travel Awards

Cayman Airways has won Caribbean’s Leading Airline 2026 at the World Travel Awards, its first nomination in the category and a historic first for the Cayman Islands national carrier. The airline is also newly nominated for World’s Leading Airline 2026, adding global visibility as voting remains open through Oct. 30.

Why it matters: - Cayman Airways’ win gives the Cayman Islands national airline a major regional endorsement from one of travel’s best-known awards programs. - The recognition strengthens Cayman Airways’ standing as a tourism and connectivity asset for the Cayman Islands. - The airline’s first nomination for World’s Leading Airline adds global exposure alongside major international carriers.

What happened: - Cayman Airways Limited was named Caribbean’s Leading Airline 2026 at the World Travel Awards. - The award was presented at the World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Gala Ceremony in Jamaica on Oct. 11, 2026. - 2026 was Cayman Airways’ first-ever nomination in the Caribbean’s Leading Airline category. - Cayman Airways President and CEO Fabian Whorms accepted the award in Jamaica. - Whorms was joined by Ivan Forbes, vice president of airport passenger and cargo services, and Carol Nugent, regional airport operations manager for the Caribbean and Latin America.

The details: - Cayman Airways was also nominated for World’s Leading Airline 2026 for the first time. - The global category includes airlines such as Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, British Airways, Air New Zealand and Turkish Airlines. - Cayman Airways was the only Caribbean-based airline among the nominees. - World Travel Awards says winners are determined by votes from travel industry professionals and the traveling public. - The airline described the award as a milestone in nearly six decades of service. - Whorms said the win shows Cayman Airways can compete on an international stage with service excellence and Caymanian hospitality. - Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism and Trade Development Gary Rutty called Cayman Airways a strategic national asset and an essential partner in tourism development. - Rutty said stronger international recognition supports visitor arrivals, the economy and the Cayman Islands’ credibility as a tourism destination. - World Travel Awards founder Graham E. Cooke congratulated Cayman Airways and said the award gives the airline and Cayman Islands a platform to reach an international audience.

Between the lines: - The award is not just a branding win. It helps position Cayman Airways as a regional carrier with ambitions beyond its size. - The global nomination suggests the airline’s profile is rising outside the Caribbean, even against much larger competitors. - The recognition also fits a broader tourism strategy in which air service is tied directly to destination competitiveness. - Cayman Airways has been building a stronger awards record in recent years, which can reinforce credibility with travelers and industry partners.

What’s next: - Voting for World’s Leading Airline 2026 is open through Oct. 30, 2026. - Supporters can vote at the official World Travel Awards voting page. - Voters must register, verify their email address and log in before casting a ballot. - Cayman Airways will continue using the award to promote its brand and the Cayman Islands destination globally. - The airline says additional information and FAQs are available on its website.

The bottom line: - Cayman Airways turned its first nomination in a key regional category into a win, and then followed that with a first-time global nomination that could further elevate the carrier and its home market.