Air Saipan to offer scholarships for flight attendant training

Air Saipan, Inc. yesterday disclosed it would provide five local residents scholarships for flight attendant training, as it plans to introduce charter services to Saipan this year.

This disclosure came about as Air Saipan vice president for international marketing and corporate development Craig Champion announced that the company will be holding a press conference at the Fiesta Resort & Spa’s Azucena Hall this coming Thursday.

Champion did not disclose yet the announcement that Air Saipan officials will make on Thursday. Earlier, though, Commonwealth Ports Authority executive director Lee Cabrera disclosed that Air Saipan’s chartered Boeing 757 aircraft might land on the tarmac of the Saipan International Airport on Feb. 15.

Cabrera disclosed that the company would be chartering aircraft from an undisclosed United States carrier, which would be emblazoned with “tropical colors” and the word “Saipan.”

Based on information reaching the Saipan Tribune, Air Saipan is chartering two aircraft from Ryan International Airlines. Air Saipan has yet to confirm the veracity of the information. CPA’s Cabrera earlier said Air Saipan might begin charter services in March, subject to the company’s fulfillment of requirements by the CPA and other concerned government agencies.

Meanwhile, Champion disclosed its plan to award scholarship grants to five local residents to prepare them for the airline industry.

“Air Saipan will offer five local residents a scholarship to attend the Tourism Training Institute Canada, Beijing campus for a diploma as flight attendant. This campus offers a three-month comprehensive course for students wishing to become flight attendants (air stewards),” Champion said via email.

“The course is world recognized and includes all areas of being a flight attendant. General topics include general aircraft knowledge, in-flight service, in-flight safety, and world geography. The course will also give students a chance to learn and see first hand another culture, China, being the fastest growing economy in the world,” he added.

Among Air Saipan’s stakeholders are Dean Mills, the chairman, as well as Dave Raybould and Champion. Raybould earlier placed the company’s initial investment at $3 million, but expected it to rise quickly. POI Aviation will provide ground-handling services for Air Saipan’s charter flights.

Based on the company’s initial marketing plan, Cabrera said Air Saipan would provide charter services between Japan and Saipan. The company plans to eventually tap other tourist markets, including Korea, China, Hong Kong and even Australia.

Air Saipan’s representatives have also informed CPA of its plan to secure an Air Operating Certificate from the U.S. Department of Transportation to eventually become a full-fledged airline.