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CNMI raises airport slots issue in Japan
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Posted on Jun 06 2005
The CNMI brought up with the U.S. government the issue of “premium” airport slots at Narita Airport amid the looming pullout of Japan Airlines.
Gov. Juan N. Babauta, who led a delegation to Tokyo last week, said he and his team met with U.S. Ambassador John Thomas Schieffer and the latter’s economic advisers to discuss air routes and slots “for whoever wants to take over or provide services to the CNMI.”
“JAL has slots and these slots are a premium. One of the things we want to know is whether whoever wants to come in and service the CNMI can take up the slots,” said the governor.
He said he brought this up to brief the American envoy of all possible steps that could be taken if JAL goes ahead with its plan to withdraw from the CNMI. There have been no definite answers yet on this issue.
Babauta’s delegation’s trip to Tokyo came following a notice from JAL that it would pull out its services to the region by October this year.
JAL is reportedly undergoing a massive restructuring arising from huge financial and safety problems.
The governor said he is hopeful that after the ongoing reorganization, the new organization would continue to provide services to the CNMI. He said the CNMI would begin talking with the business group after this period.
“I think the dust is going to settle after Oct. 1 but not all hope is lost. …After this restructuring, things are going to become clearer. Then the CNMI can talk to the new organization that can make decisions,” said Babauta.
JAL has been servicing the CNMI for 28 years now.
Currently, JAL provides daily flights between Narita and Saipan and from Kansai to Saipan.
