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CPA: Air Saipan may begin charters in March
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Posted on Jan 20 2006
Air Saipan Ltd. may begin charter services between Japan and Saipan on the first week of March and is in the process of putting up its headquarters on the island, the Commonwealth Ports Authority disclosed yesterday.
CPA executive director Lee Cabrera said Air Saipan’s two chartered Boeing 757 aircraft would land on the tarmac of the Saipan International Airport possibly on Feb. 15, after a meeting Thursday with the company’s representatives, Dave Raybould and Craig Champion.
“They again reaffirmed their intentions of flying to Saipan,” Cabrera said.
The company is in the process of completing the requirements of the CPA and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Cabrera said the company would be chartering aircraft from an undisclosed United States carrier. He said the aircraft would be painted with “tropical colors” and emblazoned with the word “Saipan.”
Based on the company’s initial marketing plan, Cabrera said Air Saipan would provide charter services between Japan and Saipan. The company plans to eventually tap other tourist markets, including Korea, China, Hong Kong and even Australia.
Air Saipan’s representatives also informed the CPA of its plan to secure an Air Operating Certificate from the U.S. Department of Transportation to become a full-fledged airline.
CPA deputy director Regino Celis added that Air Saipan is in the process of putting up its offices on Saipan, which will become the company’s headquarters.
POI Aviation will provide ground-handling services for Air Saipan’s charter flights.
Among Air Saipan’s stakeholders are Dean Mills, chairman, as well as Raybould and Champion. Raybould earlier placed the company’s initial investment at $3 million, but expected it to rise quickly.
