Taga Air dreams big for Tinian

“Look around Tinian now. In 18 months, Tinian will never be the same again.”

Thus said Gov. Benigno R. Fitial before government officials, businessmen and guests during Wednesday night’s dinner that was hosted by Taga Air to celebrate the recent granting of certification that would allow it to expand its fleet.

Jubilant spirits filled Taga Air’s hangar within the West Tinian International Airport as glittering confetti rained down after Fitial and the mayors of Tinian, Rota and Saipan—Jose San Nicolas, Joseph Inos and Juan Borja Tudela—together with the company’s officers led by director Michael Kwan, officially cut the ribbon in celebration of the air carrier’s new certification.

Kwan assured that Taga Air will expand its services to help boost traffic within the islands. He said they will add new charter services to Rota and eventually become an international airline that will bring in direct flights to Tinian.

The fledgling airline firm recently obtained a Basic 135 certification from the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation, allowing Taga Air to operate charter services with five pilots.

Once all regulatory approvals are in place, Kwan said that Taga Air will become an international airline that will bring in direct flights to Tinian. “Tinian Dynasty was built in less than 20 months. It should be shorter. I’m confident it will happen.”

Fitial said the new certification is a promising development for Tinian, coupled with the multi-million-dollar investments headed for the island, such as hotel casinos and golf courses.

Taga Air vice president Tom Liu disclosed that Taga Air is now in the process of applying for a scheduled flight certificate with the DOT and the FAA, which will allow Taga Air to operate as a regular commercial airline.

“We aim to service Tinian and Saipan first and expand to Rota, then eventually to Guam. As you can see outside, we have already one Cessna 402 twin-engine airplane. When the schedule flight certificate is approved, the 402 twin engine will be ready to fly to Rota,” Liu said.

Liu said Taga Air will acquire four more aircraft in anticipation of the scheduled flight certification. Currently, it has nine aircraft, most of them with up to six seats. The twin-engine aircraft can sit nine passengers.

Taga Air also plans to build a new and bigger hangar within the Tinian airport, which is estimated to cost $1 million, in line with the expansion of its fleet and services.

“We will be ready to provide 24-hour service between Saipan and Tinian for the convenience of all passengers,” Liu said. “We envision that, with the new casino investments coming to Tinian, inter-island air service is essential in the development of our resort destination. Please be assured that Taga Air is here to serve the community.”

Tinian mayor San Nicolas welcomed Taga Air’s plans, saying that the company’s gain is also the government’s gain in terms of taxes and in enhancing tourism. Sen. Henry San Nicolas, a member of the Tinian Legislative Delegation, vowed to support Taga Air’s plans.

The event overflowed with food and drinks and became even livelier with the accompaniment of a live band.