Cayman Airways plans to begin direct flights to the western US in early 2019, with Denver being eyed as one of the cities the carrier is considering with its new B737 MAX 8s delivering from November 2018.

Cayman Airways plans to utilize its new MAX 8s on the routes, as they have the range and capacity to meet the demand for the western US.

The route analysis of the carrier is 95 percent complete, with a formal announcement expected in a few weeks.

Cayman Airways, which is losing market share in Cuba due to US airlines entering the market, is now shifting its strategy to the western US, which includes many affluent populations.

The airline has four B737 MAX 8s arriving in 2018-2020 on lease from Air Lease Corporation.