Cape Air to begin Saipan-Guam-Rota flights in August

The Commonwealth Ports Authority disclosed Friday that new airline player Cape Air will be launching its maiden flight between Guam, Saipan, and Rota on August 1.

CPA executive director Carlos H. Salas said the route of the newest addition to the CNMI’s signatory airlines would be Guam to Saipan/Saipan to Guam and Saipan-Rota/Rota to Saipan.

Salas said Cape Air, through its Continental Connection, would be using ATR42 airliners, which can accommodate 46 passengers. With its daily flight between the three islands, Salas is upbeat that tourist traffic is now on the rebound.

Beginning August 1, Cape Air would fly five times daily starting at 7:15am from Guam to Saipan followed by 8:15am, 11:50am, 1:20pm, and 6pm flights, all from the Guam International Airport.

Flights from Saipan International Airport begin at 10:15am followed by 10am; 2pm; 3pm; and 7:45pm. Guam-Saipan flights normally take only 50 minutes.

For the Saipan-Rota route, Cape Air would have twice-a-day flights for the whole week beginning at 9:15am and followed by 2pm from the Saipan International Airport.

According to Cape Air officials, the firm would base three 46-passenger turbo-propeller-powered ATR-42 aircraft in Guam for its Pacific venture. The planes have been leased from Continental Airlines; one is currently being repainted and retrofitted at Cape Air’s hangar at Barnstable Municipal Airport.

Already, Continental is a Cape Air “code share” partner, meaning customers connect from Continental flights directly to Cape Air planes with a single reservation.

Also, Continental Airlines announced last week the launching of its three-times daily flights between Guam and Rota beginning July 1 to better serve the region through its Continental Connection program.

Continental Micronesia vice president for sales and marketing Walter Dias said that Continental Connection, operated by Cape Air, will offer convenient non-stop three times daily flight between Guam and Rota.

“As a Continental Connection partner, Cape Air will operate the new service with 9-passenger Cessna 402 aircraft during the month of July. The airline intends to expand its service within the CNMI using larger ATR aircraft, as soon as completing necessary regulatory requirements,” said Dias.

He said the program hopes to enhance Continental Airlines’ services within the region and to strengthen the company’s commitment to serve the CNMI.

The new Guam-Rota flights will be at 8:15am; 1:30pm; and 6pm, while the Rota-Guam flights would be at 10am; 2:50pm; and 7:10pm. Flying time is approximately 30 minutes.

Dias also said that Continental has teamed up with the Rota Resort & Country Club for its Holidays package that includes round-trip airfare from Guam to Rota, two nights at the Rota Resort, and airport-hotel transfers for as low as $197 per person based on triple occupancy. The promo, which includes a special golf package, including a day of unlimited golf at Rota Resort, is also available.