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Continental: Suspension of Sunday flights ‘temporary’
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Posted on Jul 07 2005
Continental Micronesia’s decision to suspend its Sunday service between Saipan and Manila is only temporary, vowing to bring it back during the peak period next year.
Currently, Continental provides the only nonstop service between the CNMI and the Philippines three times a week: every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. But beginning Aug. 1, the air carrier will drop the Sunday service and retain only the two other flights.
Wally Dias, Continental staff vice president for sales and marketing, described the reduction as a seasonal adjustment for the off-peak period, adding that the thrice-weekly flights would be back in April 2006.
“If you look at the history of this flight, we started with twice a week. Then we went to three times a week in November last year. At the time, we said we had to monitor demand and see how it would go,” Dias said. “Based on the flight performance, it appears that it’s going to have to be a seasonal flight at this point.”
However, Continental seriously considers reinstating the canceled flight during the peak period next year, he said.
Travel between Saipan and Manila normally peaks around late March or early April, he said. Demand is also high for a week or two during the December holidays.
“We have to look at [the December demand] and see if we can reinstate the flight, but definitely, we will do it by next April,” Dias said.
Continental launched twice-weekly flights between Saipan and Manila on Dec. 9, 2003, becoming the only carrier to operate nonstop flights between the two destinations.
The direct service allowed non-U.S. visa holders from the Philippines to travel to the CNMI, despite federal visa restrictions currently in place for those who transit through Guam.
Due to increased demand, Continental increased the frequency of its Saipan-Manila service to thrice weekly, with 8:45pm departures from Saipan and 10pm takeoffs in Manila.
