50 years ago: Cayman Airways becomes national airline, Radio Cayman to launch
In the Tuesday, 13 July 1976 issue of the Caymanian Compass, an article appeared on the front page “Government increases holdings in CAL”, which reported that the Cayman Islands government purchased 67,500 shares in Cayman Airways Ltd. The purchase gave government a 60% shareholding in the airline, an increase from its previous 51% holding. The remaining 40% was owned by the Costa Rican airline Lacsa.
At the same time, a subsidy of $10,000 was granted to Cayman Airways for the inter-island service for 1976. Subsidies for this service had ceased when the overall operation of the airline showed a profit, the Compass reported. The article also stated that the purchase made Cayman Airways a “truly national airline of these Islands in the eyes of Civil Aeronautics Board and other international organisations”. For a more complete summary of the story, please see the below link:
Published on: Jul 18, 2026 05:42 PM