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MVA downplays impact of increased Continental flights
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Posted on Apr 11 2000
Marianas Visitors Authority Board Chair Dave M. Sablan yesterday said the decision of Continental Micronesia to increase flights between Guam and Tokyo will have very minimal effect in improving the visitor arrivals in the CNMI.
What he would like to see, Mr. Sablan said, is the return of direct flights from various destinations in Japan to Saipan. “I really do not know if Continental is willing to have a change of heart on this issue,” he said.
Visitor arrivals from Japan have shown improvement as Japan Airlines scheduled several charter flights to accommodate the growing demand. “The people who will come to Saipan will look for airlines that will provide direct service which is unfortunately not available with Continental Micronesia,” he added.
As a result of increased customer demand, Continental Micronesia began operating a Boeing 737-800 on April 7, 2000 every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. The airline used to operate two DC-10 flights per day in the Guam-Tokyo route.
This will result in a 10 percent increase in Continental Micronesia’s seats in the market, according to Walter Dias, staff vice-president of sales and promotions.
According to Mr. Dias, customer demand has been strong from the Kanto region during the past few quarters and the increase in flights will add capacity to those markets which have demonstrated consistently strong demand.
Earlier, Mr. Dias met with the leadership of the House of Representatives where they discussed the possibility of granting tax breaks and other incentives to the airline in hopes of helping the air carrier sell the CNMI in key Asian markets as well as to reduce airfare between the islands and prime destinations.
Both the CNMI and Continental must work together in promoting the islands in Japan which he said would create the biggest impact in the local tourism industry.
