Previous Story
Continental urged to review flight changes
|
Posted on Jun 06 2006
Pacific states and jurisdictions collectively called on Continental Micronesia yesterday to reconsider changes to flight schedule to some island destinations in the region.
At the initiative of the Yap delegates, the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures adopted a resolution expressing concern about Continental’s recent decision to change flight schedule to Micronesian island states.
APIL also asked the air service carrier to engage in dialogue with the affected states.
According to the resolution, the recent flight changes “have resulted in unprecedented and untold hardship and long term damage to the tourism industry of these affected APIL member states and territories.”
Some APIL member states depend singularly on the air service provided by Continental.
The Northern Marianas, for its part, relies on Continental for service from certain tourist markets. The CNMI recently lost Continental’s direct flights from Hong Kong and Taiwan after the airline decided to drop the Saipan stopover on its flights from these markets to Guam.
In related news, APIL also called yesterday for the formation of a regional trade association to establish uniform standards for exportable products manufactured by Pacific islanders.
These products include noni, pepper, coconut products, bananas, breadfruit, and black pearls.
Currently, there are no common standards for the export of these products. As a result, consumers in world markets are not always assured of good quality.
APIL noted that the development of a trade association would enhance the quality and the recognition of Pacific products.
The APIL Board of Directors will have its next meeting in Palau in December 2006.
