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Goni strands nearly 200 at airport
Eight flights were diverted to the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport on their way to Guam on Saturday due the strong winds and rain from Tropical Storm Goni, according to the Commonwealth Ports Authority.
As of yesterday afternoon, three of the eight flights remained at the local airport.
Stranded tourists wait to be processed at the Saipan International Airport. (Dennis B. Chan)
CPA executive director Maryann Lizama said these were United Airlines, Star Alliance, and Jin Air flights.
The eight diverted flights were headed to Guam.
“But because there was zero visibility on Guam they couldn’t land so they were diverted here,” Lizama said.
Lizama said United Airlines was able to check in passengers at hotels.
Jin Air 182 passengers were housed in the holding area.
But concession stands were closed due to the Condition 1 warning from the government.
“We were able to get [drinking] water with help of [Gov. Eloy S. Inos and Lt. Gov. Ralph Torres and Emergency Operations Center].”
“We allowed the Korean association and community to come in…so they could feed and aid the stranded passengers,” Lizama added.
According to her, Jin Air landed around 3pm on Saturday. They were set to leave at 5pm yesterday.
Delta Air Lines regular flights were also cancelled on Saturday.
The Transportation Security Administration was not able to start operations until after 12pm yesterday, when Condition 1 levels were lifted.
Saipan Tribune saw dozens of passengers waiting around the airport’s check-in area.
“We have a departure area full of people that need to be screened,” Lizama said.
United Airlines informed passengers that they were waiting on TSA. Some passengers with flights that day were waiting as early as 9:30am.
TSA began screening passengers around 3:30pm yesterday.
