‘Tinian ILS should not exceed $3.5M’

The installation of an instrument landing system at the Tinian International Airport needs to cost no more than the budget limit of $3.5 million, said Mayor Jose P. San Nicolas.

This came as the Commonwealth Ports Authority and the Federal Aviation Administration are poised to sign an agreement on the Tinian ILS in a couple of weeks.

CPA executive director Clyde Norita said the actual cost for the ILS project has yet to be determined yet.

“The figure can’t be finalized. We are still finalizing the agreement,” said Norita. “We are going to try our darndest to be within $3.5 million.”

In a separate interview, San Nicolas said the local delegation could not afford any higher amount.

“That’s the limit. That should be enough. It covers everything, from purchase to installation of the ILS,” said San Nicolas.

The $3.5 million was reprogrammed from Tinian’s capital improvement project funds.

The CPA shouldered the cost involved in the recent inspection by FAA personnel of the airport for the ILS installation. CPA consultant Carlos H. Salas said the agency paid $45,000 for three FAA personnel’s travel and site survey.

The onsite inspection came following years of discussions between the Tinian local government and CPA on the need to install the landing system.

The Tinian local leadership had been at odds with CPA over the delay in the ILS installation. Tinian leaders have said that the lack of ILS is the reason why the Tinian International Airport could not get direct flights. They cited that China Southern Airlines from Guangzho and China Eastern Airlines from Shanghai would land directly on Tinian once the ILS is set up.

CPA and FAA officials have said that the Tinian airport has been open for direct international flights and it is safe to accommodate landings even without an ILS.

CPA also said that since Tinian’s air traffic does not justify the free installation of ILS by the FAA, the local delegation has to shoulder its acquisition and installation.

Tinian officials earlier explored the possibility of getting a different group to install the ILS to save on costs. Local officials had said that they could acquire an ILS at a much lower price of $1.3 million.

But in recent months, Tinian officials said they would follow CPA’s recommendation on the matter, which is to pursue the project under direct supervision by FAA.

San Nicolas said this week that Tinian looks solely now at FAA to install and supervise the ILS project.

Last week, CPA met with FAA officials in Guam to finalize the support services that are required of the FAA on the ILS project.

The specific FAA services are outlined in a draft FAA reimbursable agreement, CPA said. As soon as the agreement is signed, an engineering firm will commence the design work and implement the construction.

“The FAA’s role under the reimbursable agreement is to review the ILS specifications and design work, including project oversight during construction to make sure the entire ILS system complies with FAA standards,” said CPA.

It said the ILS system for Tinian airport is a non-FAA funded project.