Continental looks at 8 new markets for CNMI

Continental Airlines is reviewing possible deployment of nonstop flights out of eight emerging markets primarily spurred by the slow recovery of the Japanese economy from deep financial upheavals.

This, as Continental Airlines yesterday launched its Saipan-Nagoya direct flights with 155 passengers onboard including 10 individuals representing different media entities in Japan.

Continental previously abandoned the route due to low demand from the Japanese tourism market. It has consistently said that deployment of flights depends heavily on market demand.

Continental Micronesia Staff Vice President for Sales and Promotions Walter Dias said the resumption of direct flights mirrors the increasing demand from the travel market in Japan, as well as the country’s recovering economy.

He said Continental will work closely with the Marianas Visitors Authority to effectively promote the Commonwealth to eight other markets in Japan where the air carrier might launch direct flights to Saipan.

These areas are considerably smaller than Tokyo but with sufficient number of Japanese travelers who need to know more about CNMI as a tourist destination.

Mr. Dias projected that in the next two years, Japan’s economy will be on the rebound and the travel market’s demand will again pick up. With this, the airline company divulged plans to bolster its promotional and advertising activities to Nagoya, Sapporo and other emerging markets in Japan.

“These areas are smaller than Tokyo, and we can immediately spread promotions about Saipan and get the market’s attention,” said Mr. Dias.

To help them on these promotional activities, 10 media personalities from Japan will be on the island for the next few days for the Continental Chubu Media Tour.

At the same time, MVA Board Member JM Guerrero underscored the need to promote the CNMI aggressively to the traveling market especially those that have the potential to emerge as future big markets for Northern Marianas.

Mr. Guerrero said additional funding for MVA will help the agency expand its marketing program and revive the ailing tourism industry.

Continental Airline will use its brand new 737-800 aircraft with 155-seating capacity for its nonstop flights between Nagoya and Saipan.

Continental’s decision to resume the deployment of nonstop flights to and from the island was prompted by the increasing demand from travel customers in Japan, indicated by official figures recorded in recent months.

The region’s largest carrier is hoping to dispatch aircraft with an annual average of 84 percent load factor, which may translate to around 48,000 additional visitors to the Northern Marianas this year.

Deployment of the nonstop daily flights between Nagoya and Saipan represents close to 57,000 airline seats, in addition to the 120,000 passenger slots Continental Micronesia provides to the CNMI through its Guam hub each year.

The airline official is optimistic the resumption of the nonstop flights to the Japanese city will work to the economic advantage of the CNMI, while also strengthening the islands’ position as a prime tour destination in the Japanese market.

Although it has temporary abandoned nonstop international services to the island, Continental in the past, consistently provides the CNMI direct connecting flights from eight Japanese cities, Hong Kong and Taipei which translate to substantial number of visitors to the Northern Marianas. (EGA)