CBP accuses Star Marianas of discrimination

The U.S Customs and Border Protection in an email to Star Marianas Air, Inc. has accused the airline of discrimination due to requests for a “weight specific” officer pursuant to the aircraft’s weight restrictions.

Star Marianas, which has been providing free transportation for U.S. CBP personnel from Saipan to Rota in order to satisfy pre-screening requirements for a Rota-Guam flight, previously wrote to U.S CBP port director Ferdinand Mallari requesting the assignment of a “lightweight” USCBP officer, if available.

In an email from Mallari addressed to Star Marianas, he accused the airline of discriminatory practice.

“I have continued to inform you about this request for a ‘weight specific’ officer. This is discriminatory in nature and do not condone nor will honor such a manner of request. do not make this type of request again. You will get whoever is assigned as all our officers are equally capable and trained to perform their duties,” he said.

Star Marianas board chair Robert Christian clarifies that the request was not intended to discriminate but rather pursuant to critical weight restrictions on its aircraft.

“Our request was made solely due to the limited capacity of our aircraft and the critical weight restrictions necessary for safe operation. To imply that we are engaging in discrimination against USCBP officers is not only unfounded but also undermines the spirit of cooperation upon which this program was built,” he said.

Christian expressed his disappointment in Mallari’s statement and added that Star Marianas will be reassessing its voluntary participation in its arrangement with CBP.

“We were not only surprised by your message but also disappointed by the unprofessional tone and lack of constructive dialogue. Star Marianas will continue to remind your office of the need to assign officers with lower body weights as we reassess our voluntary participation in this program,” he said.

“Let me be absolutely clear; Star Marianas Air’s participation in the program enabling USCBP preclearance on our flights is entirely voluntary. We are under no obligation to continue this arrangement, and, as far as I am aware, USCBP is equally free to terminate its involvement. Your characterization of our request for consideration of the assigned officer’s weight as ‘discriminatory’ is both inaccurate and offensive,” Christian added.

In related news, Christian has also spoken with Commonwealth Ports Authority to arrange for “adequate” CBP personnel on Rota in order for Star Marianas to continue to operate its Rota-Guam flights.

To this, CPA executive director Leo Tudela stated that although he sympathizes with the Rota community, CPA was never a party in the arrangement for CBP personnel on Rota.

“Although I sympathize with those that will be affected by SMA’s choice to discontinue providing transportation for CBP personnel, I want to be clear that the transportation arrangement was between CBP and SMA, not CPA. CPA was never a part to the arrangement/agreement,” said Tudela.

In response to Tudela, Star Marianas board chair Christian said while Star Marianas understands that CPA is not directly responsible for transporting CBP personnel to Rota, CPA, as the managing authority for the airport, holds the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that all required services are in place to support the operations of airlines and facilitate passenger travel.

“Thank you for your letter acknowledging the CPA’s position regarding its lack of direct participation in the provision of CBP pre-clearance services at the Rota airport. While we understand that CPA may not be directly responsible for delivering these services, it is important to emphasize that the CPA, as the managing authority for the airport, holds the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that all required services are in place to support the operations of airlines and facilitate passenger travel. The availability of CBP pre-clearance services is critical to maintaining scheduled flights between Rota and Guam and ensuring that passengers meet U.S. entry requirements,” he said.

CPA has yet to respond to Star Marianas.