FAA, CPA partnership for aviation safety reiterated

The Federal Aviation Administration has reiterated its commitment work hand in hand with the Commonwealth Ports Authority in promoting aviation safety in the Pacific Region.

In a letter addressed to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, FAA Regional Administrator William C. Withycombe commended the efforts put forward by the ports authority in ensuring the success of the recently-held 2001 Pacific Aviation Directors Workshop.

“The workshop hosted by CPA last Feb. 6-9, 2001 was an outstanding success. These annual workshops have progressed from simple but important beginnings to events drawing well over 100 participants, and covering topics vital to enhancing aviation safety and efficiency over a vast area of the Pacific Ocean,” he said.

He added that the accomplishments enjoyed by the workshop would have not been possible without the outstanding planning, organization and follow-through of the ports authority.

Mr. Withycombe particularly mentioned the efforts put forward by CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Chief Stanley Torres which, he said, deserve high praise and recognition.

He said FAA and CPA have combined resources in the past to promote the safe and efficient use of airspace in the Pacific region. “This workshop continues that tradition, and I’m confident our productive relationship will continue in the future.”

He pointed out that FAA looks forward to continuing its partnership with CPA and the CNMI government to ensure a safe and efficient air transportation system in the Western Pacific.

Aviation officials from islands around the American Pacific and the mainland United States gathered at the Hyatt Regency-Saipan in February and discussed aviation safety in a two-day workshop sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration.

According to Board Chair Roman S. Palacios, the workshop was aimed at discussing future improvements and continued maintenance of the air transport facilities in the several Pacific-island states that are under the administration of the FAA.

He added measures to improve revenue-generating capabilities of the island-states’ airports was also tackled during the two-day conference. Mr. Palacios said the workshop highlighted the reports on the accomplishments of airport administrations throughout the mainland US and the American Pacific.

This early, CPA is already poised at making Northern Marianas airports at par with facilities from other countries, by crafting a long-term improvement plan for the Saipan International Airport that includes the expansion of its runway safety zone.

CPA’s efforts in drawing up plans aimed at improving the islands’ transit facilities have been prompted by problems relating to transportation which have long been identified to be major a major factor in the apparently stagnating economic activity in the CNMI.

The agency is also looking at expanding the runway of the Saipan International Airport from 8,600 feet to 10,600 feet since its current capacity restricts the facility from accommodating direct flights from the mainland U.S., a government report said.

At present, the airport can only receive flights from the closer Asian cities. The facility hosts an air carrier apron that has parking position for six aircraft. With these, it can accommodate expected growth in the tourism industry in the near future even without expansion.