Cayman Airways is planning a major re-fleeting that will transform the company’s fleet.

The carrier has received approval from the Cayman Islands government to proceed with its Fleet Modernization Plan, which will launch in the fourth quarter of this year.

The plan will see the carrier’s current fleet of 122-seat Boeing 737-300 aircraft retired and replaced by new Boeing 737-8Max aircraft.

The refleeting is slated for completion by 2020.

“This government is delighted to announce its approval of Cayman Airways’ Fleet Modernization Plan in-keeping with the airline’s business plan,” stated the Honorable Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism, District Administration and Transport, Moses Kirkconnell. “The modernization starts this year with the introduction of a next generation Boeing 737-800 to the existing fleet, followed by the phased introduction of four brand new, state of the art, Boeing 737-8Max aircraft between 2018 and 2020. By 2020, the 737-300s will be retired and Cayman Airways will have a fleet complement of four 737-8Max aircraft that will not only give our National Airline the newest fleet in the region, but will also guarantee our growth in tourism air arrivals as we prepare our airport to accommodate more visitors and as our room stock grows accordingly.

Kirkconnell said the company would now have the range to be able to reach “any part of the United States and most of Canada” with significant growth in capacity.

Cayman Airways President and CEO Fabian Whorms said the flights would represent a 20 percent reduction in fuel costs, along with a new Boeing Sky Interior and other design improvements.

“Cayman Airways intends to equip each aircraft with on-board Wi-Fi and in-flight entertainment, seat power and other amenities to ensure that its passengers experience the best of Caymankindness,” he said.