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Taga Air regular flights ‘grounded’
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Posted on Feb 28 2006
Following an inspection last week, the Federal Aviation Administration is allowing Taga Air to fly only chartered flights between Saipan and Tinian.
Commonwealth Ports Authority officials said yesterday that Taga Air is “grounded” again, pending compliance with necessary federal regulations.
Tinian port manager Ike Perez said that Taga Air could still fly charter flights, but not regular or scheduled flights.
Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino general manager Tom Liu clarified that Taga Air “is flying on charter basis.”
Taga Air is operated by Saipan Travel Inc., a business affiliate of Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino.
Liu declined to specify the reasons that prompted the FAA order, besides saying that, “We want to clarify the procedures with FAA.”
Liu said that FAA is shortly set to grant the operator a “basic 135 certificate” to allow them to utilize five pilots.
“We hope to get the certificate this week,” said Liu.
He said Taga Air intends to operate 24-hours once fully compliant with FAA regulations.
Right now, Taga Air has nine aircraft consisting of two Cessna 172, which carry three passengers; one Cessna 402, which carries nine passengers; one Cessna 150, which carries two passengers, including the pilot; four Cherokee 300, which has a capacity of six passengers each; and one Baron 55, which has a capacity of six passengers.
Liu said not all nine aircraft could fly right now.
“We take turns,” he said.
When asked by the board, Perez described Taga Air planes as “not brand new but airworthy.”
Taga Air had temporarily stopped its nightly Saipan-Tinian flights last December reportedly due to some problems with contract agreements.
