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It’s a go for CPA’s CUTE proposal
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Posted on Apr 12 2005
The Commonwealth Ports Authority will proceed with the planned utilization of common use terminal equipment at the Saipan International Airport despite objections by Northwest Airlines and Asiana Airlines.
CPA executive director Carlos Salas said yesterday that the CPA board of directors would finalize later this month the plan to make the use of the new terminal system mandatory at the Saipan airport.
The proposed regulation is expected to take effect around July, with the public comment period and adoption procedure normally taking about 60 days.
Two airlines—Northwest and Asiana—have so far expressed their opposition to the plan. The other airlines operating regular flights out of Saipan—Continental Airlines and Japan Airlines—are said to be in support of the proposal.
“The airlines are split on this proposal and CPA has to make a decision based on economic projections and overall benefits of making the airport a first-class facility for passengers,” Salas said.
He stressed that CPA understands Northwest and Asiana’s concerns. But he added, “It is typical for airports and airlines to have disputes over terminal improvement issues. Airlines tend to look at their immediate financial concerns, while the ports authority looks at the ‘now’ and the long-term customer service needs.”
Asiana and Northwest are opposing the plan due primarily to the investment they recently made in their separate terminal equipment.
Northwest also argues that CPA’s proposal is not practical at the present time. He said there is no need to change the current system, as no additional airlines is set, or have announced intent, to upgrade their operations in the CNMI.
