Tinian airport name on CPA agenda

Dear Joe Ayuyu, chairman, Commonwealth Ports Authority:

It has come to the Tinian leadership’s attention that the Tinian airport name is listed as a discussion item on your next Commonwealth Ports Authority meeting on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024.

As you are aware, the previous CPA board acted to change the name of the Tinian International Airport to the Francisco Manglona Borja Tinian International Airport. We are aware that this change is also reflected in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Operating Certificate. This action by the board was in response to and in support of the Tinian leadership’s request. Prior to taking such action, the board held a public hearing on Tinian and provided the community the opportunity to comment on the proposed action. The public hearing was well attended with an overwhelming majority supporting the request of the Tinian leadership.

One of the questions that was raised at the public hearing and at the board meeting was whether the CPA board had the authority to name its facilities. The answer was “yes” from the two counsels that represented CPA.

The Tinian leadership is baffled that this matter is once again being revisited by the board. if the board has the authority to change the name of its buildings, why is this matter being revisited? The agenda denotes “legislative action” next to the agenda item. Is the board now requesting that the Legislature take action to rename a building that has already been renamed at the request of the Tinian leadership and supported overwhelmingly by the people of Tinian?

Furthermore, pursuing this route, given the political climate in the Legislature, opens this matter for debate amongst representatives who do not live in the Second Senatorial District. For your information, there was a bill that was previously introduced to rename the airport to what it is today but was held up by representatives from Saipan because of politics. Given these dynamics, CPA’s autonomy, and the clear authority of the board to rename its buildings, I am concerned as to what is the impetus for this move by the board.

To be succinct, you are going against the decision of the people of Tinian. On behalf of the Tinian Legislative Delegation, I respectfully ask that you take no further action with regard to the Francisco Manglona Borja Tinian International Airport. This matter has been decided by the people of the Second Senatorial District.

Sen. Karl R. King-Nabors

Chairman, Tinian and Aguiguan Legislative Delegation

23rd Legislature

Letter to the Editor