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SAIPAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OPENS SUNDAY
Airlines fly out over 600 outbound passengers
Airlines flew out over 600 passengers as soon as the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport opened for commercial flights last Sunday.
Commonwealth Ports Authority executive director Christopher S. Tenorio said United Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, and Asiana Airlines had a total of 681 outbound passengers.
Tenorio said there was no available information from Hong Kong Express, Beijing Capital Air, China Eastern Air, and Hong Kong Airlines as to their number of outbound passengers.
Tenorio said there were several U.S. military aircrafts that brought in relief goods.
He said CPA worked with Korean Consul General Lim Hee Soon to pick up stranded passengers on four C-130 South Korean military aircrafts.
He said they were advised that the U.S. military will stop using C-130 aircraft and will now be using helicopters.
He disclosed that Star Marianas brought in two flights with returning residents from Rota and sent off relief goods to Tinian.
Federal Emergency Management Agency personnel continue to receive cargo from military aircrafts.
Tenorio said debris cleanup continues around the airport and that the water tank is being refilled.
He said the airport generator is still up and running 24 hours but powering only portions of the facility.
The port of Saipan is open and has received the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Sequoia, which is on island to assess the ports and deliver relief goods.
For Tinian, Tenorio said the Tinian International Airport is estimated to open within a week, but flight operations are still limited to humanitarian aid, medical referrals and relief goods only.
He said the fence line was erected temporarily, while the airport received 500 gallons of diesel for their generator.
He said the airport’s flight service office has been temporarily removed to its administration office.
The port of Tinian is open.
For Rota, the Benjamin Taisacan Manglona International Airport is open and power has been restored.
Tenorio said the Rota West Harbor fence line is down and debris cleanup continues.
