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House urges US-DOT to allow carrier to fly RP-Saipan route
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Posted on Feb 28 2000
CNMI legislators asked the United States Department of Transportation on Friday to allow Armenian Airlines provide direct charter flights between Saipan and the Philippines, in fresh attempts to alleviate air transport woes in the Northern Marianas.
The 12th House of Representatives adopted a resolution over the weekend requesting the U.S. transportation department to grant a Foreign Aircraft Permit to Armenian Airlines to operate charter flights between Saipan and Clark Field in Pampanga, Philippines.
The CNMI government, through the Economic Recovery and Revitalization’s Aviation Task Force, has been trying to encourage other foreign carriers to provide air transport services to the island following Continental Micronesia’s decision to stop direct flights to Saipan.
The House leadership’s move came in light of projections that visitors disembarking at the Saipan International Airport are expected to increase in 10 years.
This, even as arrival figures are expected to remain at lower levels than what the Northern Marianas experienced during the past decade.
Armenian Airlines is expected to get the huge Filipino market on the island with its plan to offer cheaper airfare and more acceptable schedule. It will however initially provide charter flights between Saipan and the Philippines.
House Speaker Ben Fitial said discussions are also underway on the possibility of the airline flying regularly between Manila and the Northern Marianas.
