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CPA participates in PATA study
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Posted on Oct 29 2005
The Commonwealth’s ports and tourism offices are participating in a study commissioned by the Pacific Asia Travel Association concerning route development.
The Commonwealth Ports Authority on Friday agreed to contribute $10,000 to the CNMI’s $17,500 share in the study cost. The Marianas Visitors Authority will cover the remaining $7,500.
Airport Strategy and Marketing, which is the company hired by PATA to conduct the study, is charging a total fee of $43,750.
According to MVA managing director Wayne Pangelinan, Guam Visitors Bureau and the Guam International Authority have agreed to take the other 60 percent of ASM’s fee.
Pangelinan, in a letter to Salas in earlier this month, said the study would provide Guam and the Northern Marianas relevant data they could use when attracting new airlift service from carriers.
CPA and MVA have tried various methods to get airlines to fly to the CNMI, especially after Japan Airlines announced its withdrawal from Saipan in July 2005.
The two agencies have offered air carriers discounts in airport fees, cash incentives, and promotional support.
So far, only Northwest Airlines has launched new service to fill the vacuum left by JAL.
JAL records show that the airline was flying to full or almost capacity to Saipan when it decided to stop its regular daily flights from Tokyo and Osaka to the island.
Low airfare rates, rather than load factor, are believed to be the primary problem besetting airlines operating in the CNMI. (Agnes E. Donato)
