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Beijing Air to start service to Saipan next week
Two days after dropping its lawsuit against the Commonwealth Ports Authority, Beijing Air will be flying from China to the CNMI in July.
In a phone interview yesterday, Beijing Air counsel Daniel Guidotti said, “Beijing Air is happy with the decision by CPA to allow international flights to Saipan.”
Beijing Air will start flying to Saipan next week. They will be flying twice per week, arriving on Mondays at 5am and departing at 7am and Thursdays arriving at 1:30pm and departing at 4:50pm. The carrier originally planned to inaugurate its service to Saipan today, June 29.
Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Chris Concepcion is excited about the tourists that the airline will be bringing to the CNMI.
“We are excited and looking forward to showcasing the beauty of the CNMI more to the Chinese community and we welcome them to the CNMI.”
Saipan Tribune tried to get a statement from CPA but they have yet to respond as of press time.
Last June 13, CPA adopted a resolution suspending new international flights to the CNMI for 60 days. The administration of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and CPA will use the 60 days supposedly to assess the current state of the CNMI’s infrastructure’s capacity to accommodate the rapid increase in visitor arrival.
Last June 21, Beijing Air sued CPA and its executive director Christopher S. Tenorio from preventing the company from accessing the Francisco C. Ada-Saipan International Airport based upon the resolution by the CPA board.
Beijing Air asked the U.S. District Court for the NMI to issue an injunction that would stop CPA and Tenorio from enforcing CPA board resolution that suspends new international flights into the CNMI for 60 days.
CPA released an order last Friday saying it stands by its decision to uphold the resolution and that they will await a decision from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
On Monday, Beijing Air voluntarily dropped the suit against the CPA and Tenorio. The petition to dismiss stated that that the parties have reached an agreement and will file a stipulation that will execute the dismissal of the case.
“Beijing Air is looking forward to this venture and is pleased that CPA reconsidered its previous decision,” Guidotti added.
