Ogo: Landing fee hikes will practically kill tourism on Rota, Tinian

The Commonwealth Ports Authority’s decision to increase the landing fees of airlines using the CNMI’s airports will practically kill the Commonwealth’s tourism industry especially on Rota and Tinian, according to Rep. Julie A. Ogo (Ind-Rota).

Ogo noted that all tourists coming to the CNMI have to enter Guam or Saipan first and then connect to Rota and Tinian via a single interisland carrier, hence the need for any subsidy that the CNMI may tap into.

The lawmaker talked about the decision to increase the landing fees in her recent letter to Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (D-MP), where she sought assistance in pursuing the designation of Rota as an Essential Air Service area.

Ogo said she is deeply concerned with the cost of medical air travel and evacuation services as well as the effect on commodity prices that are already exorbitant, as it is and will likely escalate exponentially once the new landing fees are implemented.

She noted that sea vessels remain unreliable in delivering goods to Rota due to inclement weather and equipment failures.

“These are all devastating impacts on our people’s livelihoods,” Ogo said.

Rep. Julie Ogo