Previous Story
MVA cancels activities for Saipan Air launch
The indefinite postponement of Saipan Air’s operations has prompted the Marianas Visitors Authority to recall all local and off-island events related to the aborted launch next month, according to MVA managing director Perry Tenorio yesterday.
Among the cancelled events, Tenorio said, are activities lined up for the supposed inaugural flight on Sunday, July 1, in Japan where MVA prepared a ceremony for dignitaries and passengers of the maiden flight.
He could not immediately say the monetary impact of the air service cancellation, but admitted that the decision to recall related events was made following receipt of official confirmaton from Saipan Air yesterday.
Saipan Air released Monday a statement about the suspension of its operation until further notice. The carrier cited issues beyond its control as factors behind the decision and bared plans to file a lawsuit against Swift Air, the company that was supposed to provide the aircraft for its operations.
This development came as a surprise to many as the official launch is just a week away, July 1.
According to Tenorio, MVA lined up promotional activities at each city to be served by Saipan Air, such as Beijing. These were pulled back yesterday after the agency was contacted and advised by Saipan Air that all plans are off the table.
During MVA’s board meeting yesterday, the Saipan Air issue was briefly discussed but, in the absence of more information, the board did not issue or adopt an official comment. The board, however, adopted MVA’s audit report for 2011, to be consolidated with the CNMI single audit report.
“The board understands that more information needs to be shared and it is difficult to comment now without knowing fully what happened,” said Tenorio.
Tenorio himself was party to the launch receptions recently conducted by Saipan Air in Japan and China.
Saipan Air has yet to respond to further inquiries relating to its decision as of press time.
Saipan Air had planned to introduce flights from key cities in Japan and China. The airline had planned to initially provide daily flights to Narita City in Japan and four times a week to Beijing, China.
The new carrier was seeking to gain back the Japanese traffic the islands lost after Japan Airlines pulled out in October 2005.
By Moneth Deposa
Reporter
