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Construction of Star Marianas facility in Guam airport underway
Construction is ongoing for a “light aircraft facility” for Star Marianas’ use at the Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport in Guam, according to the Guam International Airport Authority.
Star Marianas has been trying for the last couple of years to provide flights from the CNMI to Guam. Two weeks ago, the local carrier suspended passenger charters to Guam out of a “continued lack of facility,” according to president Shaun Christian earlier.
GIAA spokeswoman Rolenda Faasuamile told Saipan Tribune last week that “construction is underway for a light aircraft facility where scheduled and on-demand commuter services can be conducted.”
She said this facility is separate from the main terminal.
Faasuamile said regulatory agencies—Guam Customs and Quarantine, and Agriculture in particular—are involved.
She said these agencies are involved not only in the construction but also in operations, because “inspection and clearance are required for passengers coming from the CNMI.”
Details on any interim measures were not provided by GIAA as of press time.
GIAA had told CNMI representatives and Star Marianas that an interim facility would be provided by the end of February. But according to Christian and Rota treasurer Frank Atalig last week, they have yet to hear from GIAA.
According to Christian, GIAA had proposed to put “a temporary 40-foot air-conditioned container in front” of a previously proposed cargo building to be renovated for their use.
Phase 1 of the proposed plan was to get the 40-foot container up, so there could be an alternative Guam Customs Access point; Phase 2 was to remodel the cargo building so they could have a permanent Customs clearance area; and Phase 3 was to open up a passenger check-in area, with a small waiting area for passengers, Christian said.
The airlines also dropped their passenger charters due to a new ground-handling service requirement from GIAA that would effectively boost the cost of escorting passengers to the Guam airport to “nearly double” their current $40 per passenger they pay, according to Christian.
