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Despite bankruptcy, no changes in Osaka flight
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Posted on Sep 24 2005
Officials said that the Northwest Airlines’ direct flights between Saipan and Osaka beginning October 1 this year will proceed as planned despite major restructuring within the airline following its bankruptcy filing in the United States.
“There are no changes,” said NWA manager Richard Parsons in a recent interview.
Likewise, Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Vicky I. Benavente said that based on her talks with the airline, “it’s business as usual.”
“We’re having regular conference calls. He [Parsons] says that it’s the usual approach as regards the Osaka [flights],” said Benavente.
As planned, the maiden flight, carrying airline and local government officials, will depart Saipan for Osaka and back on Oct. 1. Kick-off ceremonies will be held in both places.
Benavente said that, in the past three to four weeks, MVA and NWA held destination seminars in Osaka for tour agents and media groups “on all they need to know about Saipan, Tinian, and Rota’s attractions, including security matters.”
She said 40 to 50 people attended each seminar.
“The next thing to do is [come up with] brochure support advertisement showing them how to get here,” she said.
Reports said that NWA’ restructuring, which involves workforce reduction, would affect mainly domestic flights, and not the international flights since these routes are profitable.
About a week after filing for bankruptcy, NWA announced its move to lay off 1,400 flight attendants by January. The layoffs will reportedly begin with 900 furloughs on Oct. 31, including 480 in Detroit, Northwest’s largest hub, and 355 in Minneapolis.
In its statement immediately following the voluntary filing of bankruptcy, the airline said that it will continue its normal operations, noting that it has $1.5 billion in cash and investments currently.
It assured clients that it will continue to serve customers, honor tickets, fly its competitive schedule and continue the WorldPerks frequent flyer and WorldPerks Visa programs.
NWA, the world’s fourth largest airline, carries more than 55 million passengers annually around the world, or about 160,000 people on its 1,450 flights a day.
NWA started flying mail in 1926 and passengers a year later.
