CPA courts Aloha Airlines to serve CNMI

The Commonwealth Ports Authority is not giving up efforts at courting other airline companies to provide air transport services to the Northern Marianas, in attempts to revive the islands’ distressed travel industry.

CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas last month met with officials of the Honolulu-based Aloha Airlines for a discussion on the company’s possible deployment of flights between Saipan and major cities in Asia.

Some of the markets offered by the ports authority to Aloha Airlines include cities in Japan as well as charter flights for the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino and air transport services between the three major islands in the CNMI.

In a progress report to the Ports Authority Board of Directors, Mr. Salas said the CPA delegation has made a strong presentation before Aloha Airlines Vice President for Planning and Development James King on Saipan’s potentials in drawing increased passenger traffic into the islands.

“We explained that there exist great potential and we are inviting Aloha Airlines to do business in the CNMI. The CPA and leaders of the CNMI including the governor would support such entry into the market,” he said.

Aloha Airlines did not make an outright commitment at deploying aircraft between the Northern Marianas and other Asian countries but said the company has considered entering the market in the future.

“Mr. King explained that Aloha Airlines has not made it official or placed the plan in the books but has contemplated on entering the market in our area in the near future. He will advise us as soon as this matter is officially decided,” said Mr. Salas.

Aloha Airlines regularly flies to the Marshall Islands capital of Majuro and is set to dispatch aircraft to Pohnpei, as well as launch new flight schedules to other destinations.

CPA, the Marianas Visitors Authority and the Governor’s Aviation Task Force have consistently been working at enticing new carriers to dispatch air transport services to the Northern Marianas in order to revitalize the islands’ tourism sector.

The newest addition to CNMI’s signatory carriers is the Taipei-based Mandarin Airlines which started flying between Saipan and the Taiwan capital in May, after sealing an agreement with the Tinian Dynasty.

Mandarin Airlines ferries Taiwanese passengers between Taipei and using 737-800 aircraft twice each week.
The aircraft can accommodate more than 120 passengers.

Mandarin Air is a subsidiary of China Airlines which was initially focused at servicing domestic routes in Taiwan. The carrier has however expanded to international flights.

China Airlines has access to all United States airports which currently provides air transport service to the neighboring island of Guam.