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For HANMI, it’s wait-and-see on Air Saipan
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Posted on Jan 28 2006
The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands said it is interested in meeting with representatives of Air Saipan Ltd. once the company has fully set up its plan to offer charter services between Saipan and its tourist markets.
HANMI chair Lynn Knight said the group is interested in information about the company and the services it would provide to enhance tourist traffic to the Northern Marianas.
“We’ll be delighted to see more air service if Air Saipan can put it together,” Knight said.
She acknowledged, though, that there are a lot of governmental and technical issues that Air Saipan should deal with before it can begin providing charter services.
Last week, the Commonwealth Ports Authority disclosed that it met with Air Saipan representatives, who are reportedly completing some paperwork to comply with government requirements.
CPA executive director Lee Cabrera earlier disclosed that Air Saipan’s two chartered Boeing 757 aircraft would land the tarmac of the Saipan International Airport possibly on Feb. 15. He said the company might begin charter services between Japan and Saipan on the first week of March.
According to the CPA, the company plans to make Saipan its headquarters.
The Marianas Visitors Authority has also vowed to fully support Air Saipan once the company realizes its plan to introduce flight services to the islands. Former MVA chair David Sablan earlier said the agency would develop travel packages from Australia, which Air Saipan plans to tap, among other tourist markets.
