‘NMI needs to work with all airline partners’

Paul A. Manglona

If the CNMI wants to get back to some semblance of a pre-COVID-19 pandemic economy, it needs to work with all airline partners in addressing air transportation issues.

That’s according to Sen. Paul A. Manglona (Ind-Rota), who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications, in response to Saipan Tribune’s inquiry yesterday.

Manglona said they also want to discuss with the Commonwealth Ports Authority and Marianas Visitors Authority what they’re doing to address the CNMI’s air transportation challenges with regards to interisland travel.

Toward this end, Manglona called for a PUTC public hearing in the Senate chamber this Wednesday, March 15, at 9am, to discuss the CNMI’s interisland air transportation issues.

Those requested to be present at the hearing and provide comments are representatives of Marianas Southern Airways, Star Marianas Air, and the three chambers of commerce (Saipan, Tinian, and Rota).

Also invited to provide comments are the CPA executive director and board members, MVA managing director and board members, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. chief executive officer, and members of the municipal council of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

Manglona also invited to provide comments the Department of Commerce secretary, Rota Mayor Aubry M. Hocog, Tinian and Aguiguan Mayor Edwin P. Aldan, and Saipan Mayor Ramon B. Camacho.

At the hearing, the PUTC Committee wants to know from the existing interisland airline companies how the government and Legislature can assist them.

The senator said the Senate PUTC and Resources, Economic Development and Programs and Gaming committees have been holding meetings since the beginning of the year pertaining to interisland air transportation services as well as international airline connections.

A petition to save Marianas Southern Airways, as well as other airlines, was launched early this week with the hope that enough signatures will encourage CNMI officials to sit down with these airlines to come to a resolution that will benefit the community as a whole.

The online petition came after the Palacios-Apatang administration decided to terminate the $8-million sole-source contract with Marianas Southern Airways; the Federal Aviation Administration’s recommendation that Star Marianas Air pays off what it owes CPA; and Asiana’s decision to suspend its Korea-Saipan service.