NWA reaffirms commitment to CNMI

Northwest Airlines reaffirmed yesterday its long-term commitment to the CNMI, noting that this destination will remain attractive to tourists.

“We continue to make a long-term commitment. It’s not only because my position allows me to say it, but I really mean it. The natural beauty of the islands offers a very good thing to Japanese tourists,” said NWA-Japan chairman Jun Mokudai in yesterday’s Marianas Visitors Authority general membership meeting held at Royal Taga Room of Saipan World Resort.

Northwest came to the aid of the CNMI just when Japan Airlines announced its pullout from the Marianas.

Northwest launched its Saipan-Osaka daily flights on Oct. 1, which is aimed to pick up over one-third of the passenger traffic brought in by JAL which terminated its regular flights after 28 years on Oct. 4.

NWA also flies daily between the Kansai International Airport and the Saipan International Airport.

These flights are seen to provide the Northern Marianas 66,430 seats annually, which represents about 43 percent of JAL’s annual traffic.

The new service from Osaka to Saipan is operated with the airline’s Boeing 757-200, with 20 seats in business class and 162 seats in coach class.

“Looking at overall [situation], we’re very confident that flights will be successful,” said Mokudai, noting that this confidence comes with the fact that “things are getting better in Japan.”

He told his Saipan audience that when JAL announced its plan to shut down operations in the CNMI, NWA executives were also busy evaluating its routes worldwide.

He said the airline company projects “a positive” trend in Japan economy, which also translates to a positive outlook for the airline business.

“When we were discussing new routes…we immediately decided to pick Saipan…personally I also wanted to see more flights to Saipan,” said Mokudai.

He said he loves visiting Saipan.

During these visits, he has met and developed his own cycle of friends in the Commonwealth.

While NWA is faced with similar challenges as JAL especially in terms of increased fuel prices, he said the NWA is committed to remain in the CNMI.

“We’re really confident. We need to support one another,” he said.

NWA’s introduction of the new Osaka flight qualified it for incentives offered by the Commonwealth Ports Authority.

Under CPA’s incentive program, any airline that establishes a new or additional direct flight to the islands from an international market or airport outside of a U.S. jurisdiction will get a 50-percent discount on airport fees.

Fees covered by this program are the $8 departure facility service charge and the $2.20 international arrival fee.