Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Jul 14, 2025

Passengers shocked by conditions on exit flights

Passengers on the British Airways evacuation flight out of Grand Cayman last week say they were stunned at the lack of social distancing and enhanced hygiene measures on board.

Though they were required to wear masks and remain six feet apart inside Owen Roberts International Airport and as they walked to the plane, it was a different story once they got on board.

Every seat was taken and even some of the flight crew were not wearing masks, according to passengers.

James Elchico, a hospitality worker returning to the Philippines after losing his job in Cayman, said he was surprised that there was no temperature screening or other measures.

“It was just like a normal flight. I thought we would be one seat apart on the plane, but no, we are all sitting together,” he told the Cayman Compass.

“I was amazed because in the airport they are really following the protocols. The six-feet distance is followed and there’s an officer checking everyone to see if you are wearing [a] face mask,” he said.

“But once you are on the plane, no one cares about the face masks.”

Another passenger, John Cagurangan, said he was surprised to see how close the passengers were to each other.

“I was very worried about my safety on that flight,” he said. “There were no empty seats.”

He said it was a different story on his onward Gulf Air flight to Manila, where seats were strategically left empty to allow for social distancing.

Elchico said it was strange to see the contrast between the strict enforcement at the airport in Grand Cayman and the more casual attitude on the plane.

He said he was afraid to use the washrooms as there did not appear to be anyone sanitising them during the flight.

“I never used it,” he said, adding that many of his fellow passengers had been shocked and had taken photos.

Some of those reports must have made their way to Governor Martyn Roper, who addressed the issue in the daily press briefing on Monday.

“I know this has been a concern expressed by a number of people and planning that next flight, we will take this into account,” he said.

He added that it was British Airways that was ultimately responsible for determining policies and protocols on board its aircraft.

Roper added, “These are emergency flights and individuals do have to judge the risk for themselves, but we will have a fresh look at all that for the next [flight].”

The BA flights provide an irregular air-bridge between London and Grand Cayman during a time when Cayman’s borders are closed.

Two flights have been organised so far, allowing medical supplies and some Cayman Islands residents to come into the territory, and facilitating the evacuation of expats who have lost their jobs amid the economic crisis.

More flights are expected to be organised in the coming months, with the government encouraging expats who are out of work to go back to their home countries where possible.

Elchico, who had to take out a loan to pay his fare to the Philippines, accepted that social distancing might have meant a higher cost for the ticket. But he said he would have been willing to pay more for a safer environment on board.

“I think the safety of everyone is more important,” he said.

Cagurangan said he hoped British Airways would change its policy and put in measures to ensure passengers could remain six feet apart on future flights.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Australia Rules Out Pre‑commitment of Troops, Reinforces Defence Posture Amid US‑China Tensions
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
U.S. Resumes Deportations to Third Countries After Supreme Court Ruling
Excavation Begins at Site of Mass Grave for Children at Former Irish Institution
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Defends Attorney General Pam Bondi Amid Epstein Memo Backlash
Renault Shares Drop as CEO Luca de Meo Announces Departure Amid Reports of Move to Kering
Senior Aides for King Charles and Prince Harry Hold Secret Peace Summit
Anti‑Semitism ‘Normalised’ in Middle‑Class Britain, Says Commission Co‑Chair
King Charles Meets David Beckham at Chelsea Flower Show
If the Department is Really About Justice: Ghislaine Maxwell Should Be Freed Now
NYC Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s ‘Antifada’ Remarks Spark National Debate on Political Language and Economic Policy
President Trump Visits Flood-Ravaged Texas, Praises Community Strength and First Responders
From Mystery to Meltdown, Crisis Within the Trump Administration: Epstein Files Ignite A Deepening Rift at the Highest Levels of Government Reveals Chaos, Leaks, and Growing MAGA Backlash
Trump Slams Putin Over War Death Toll, Teases Major Russia Announcement
Reparations argument crushed
Rainmaker CEO Says Cloud Seeding Paused Before Deadly Texas Floods
A 92-year-old woman, who felt she doesn't belong in a nursing home, escaped the death-camp by climbing a gate nearly 8 ft tall
French Journalist Acquitted in Controversial Case Involving Brigitte Macron
Elon Musk’s xAI Targets $200 Billion Valuation in New Fundraising Round
Kraft Heinz Considers Splitting Off Grocery Division Amid Strategic Review
Trump Proposes Supplying Arms to Ukraine Through NATO Allies
EU Proposes New Tax on Large Companies to Boost Budget
Trump Imposes 35% Tariffs on Canadian Imports Amid Trade Tensions
Junior Doctors in the UK Prepare for Five-Day Strike Over Pay Disputes
US Opens First Rare Earth Mine in Over 70 Years in Wyoming
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Biden’s Doctor Pleads the Fifth to Avoid Self-Incrimination on President’s Medical Fitness
Grok Chatbot Faces International Backlash for Antisemitic Content
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
×