JAL plans to boost flights to Saipan • Chartered flights from key Japanese cities aimed at helping slumping tourist arrivals

Japan Airlines will provide charter flights from Nagoya and Fukuoka to Saipan in July and August as it remains committed to boost traffic and help revive the island’s ailing tourism economy.

However, the Marianas Visitors Authority must carry out more promotional campaign if it wants more visitors to come to the CNMI, said Yukiharu Enomoto, district manager of JAL.

He said Saipan will continue to come to the island because “it is the biggest resort island for Japanese people.” With the combined efforts of MVA and JAL in marketing the CNMI in Japan, Enomoto said the Japanese people are gradually recognizing it as an ideal destination.

Due to JAL’s efforts to increase arrivals, Commonwealth Ports Authority officials yesterday gave the airline a plaque of appreciation for his efforts to increase visitor arrivals.

Since last year, JAL has been carrying out its own marketing campaign to save its huge investment on the island. During Japan’s Golden Week period alone covering May 1-5, the airline offered seven charter flights to accommodate the huge influx of tourists.

JAL has also offered reduced rates by as much as 50 percent during Mother’s Day (May 9) , Father’s Day (June 20 ) and Tanabata Festival ( July 7).

“It is our own way of saying thank you for staying with us during these difficult times. We just hope JAL will remain committed in its efforts to help us survive this crisis,” said Roman S. Palacios, board chairman.

CPA executive director Carlos H. Salas expressed optimism that the airlines will take advantage of the incentives offered by the ports authority after he met with officials of Continental Micronesia, Northwest and Asiana Airlines.

Despite the reduction in number of flights to the CNMI, Salas said Continental’s president Bill Meehan told him that the airline will take back its previous routes as soon as the airline sees an increase in the demand.

The CPA board has voted to provide a 50 percent cut in departure and arrival fees starting May 1, 1999 through February 29, 2000 to airlines that can provide an additional 15 percent increase in the average number of passengers that they bring in to the CNMI.

Salas said the basis for the incentive will be the arrival record in the first six months of fiscal year 1999 so that it can give the airlines a conservative traffic to use.

Beginning March 1, 2000, the ports authority will implement the new rates for the airport which was suspended in a move to help the island’s main source of revenue recover.

JAL has produced an in-flight promotional video of the CNMI now shown in its domestic and international flights. The airline had invested more than $150 million on the island in various businesses, namely La Fiesta San Roque Shopping Plaza, Hotel Nikko Saipan and Tropical Laundry & Linen Services.