Dynasty asks Continental to fly Saipan-Taipei route
Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino is tapping the assistance of Continental Micronesia to serve the Saipan-Taipei route temporarily abandoned by Mandarin Airlines.
From the time its charter agreement with Mandarin Air expired late last year, Tinian Dynasty has been asking Continental to ferry Taiwanese visitors to the Northern Marianas.
Hotel General Manager Tom Liu said Tinian Dynasty management has been negotiating with Continental since the beginning of the month, in fresh efforts to entice the carrier to fly CNMI-bound tourists from Taiwan.
Although no formal agreement has been signed yet, Continental is reportedly seriously reviewing proposals to fly Taipei-Saipan. Mr. Liu said Continental will benefit from the route since there is a growing demand for overseas trips among the Taiwanese market.
He said Tinian Dynasty will begin promoting the island once the West Tinian Airport Improvement project is completed. Telesource Corp. has already started grading and paving the old Tinian Airport.
Contractors of the $16.9 million-worth 8,600 linear-foot runway facility are currently grading the pavement of the old Tinian Airport in preparation for the massive construction and installation of drainage system, guidance signage, taxiway and runway edge lighting, rotating beacon, beacon tower, approach and identifier lights, and other roadway works.
The Commonwealth Ports Authority solicited two separate invitations for the project; one encompassed the construction of a 7,800 linear-foot asphalt concrete runway and the other was for an 8,600 linear-foot runway.
The ports authority has so far made about $17 million in total funds available for the West Tinian International Airport improvement project, almost half of which were sourced out of the FAA grants.
FAA has provided about $13.5 million in financing for the West Tinian International Airport expansion project, while the balance has been pledged by members of the Tinian Legislative Delegation through the island’s Capital Improvement Project funds.
Under the basic bid, the $17-million project would be for the construction of a new 7,600-foot runway, two 600 linear-foot taxiways, one 200 linear-foot partial taxiway; and the conversion of the existing 6,000 linear-foot runway to a parallel taxiway.
It will also include the construction of 2,296 linear-foot parallel taxiway connecting to Runway 26 and rerouting 4,400 linear-foot of 8th Avenue, which will form part of the proposed 7,600 linear-foot runway.
The new runway will be constructed parallel north of the existing runway which will be transformed into a taxiway. The construction of a new runway is part of the original West Tinian International Airport rehabilitation plan. (EGA)
