‘Other airlines have expressed interest’

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres issued a statement yesterday to reiterate his administration’s firm commitment to the Japan market, despite the recent announcement of Delta Air Lines that it is pulling out of the Narita-Saipan route in May 2018.

Saying he is “firmly committed” to Japan, Torres said he would be calling for an emergency meeting with the Marianas Visitors Authority and the Commonwealth Ports Authority next week to discuss ways to “ensure airlift from Japan continues in the wake of Delta Air Lines’ decision to suspend flights to the CNMI in May.”

“It takes many months for an airline to receive government approval to launch flights from Japan and the U.S., but our commitment to continuing air service remains steadfast,” said Torres, requesting for patience and understanding.

According to the governor, he and MVA managing director Chris A. Concepcion met with Delta Air Lines executives in Tokyo this week to broker the possible continuation of flights, on a charter basis, if feasible, for “time to map out our future plans for Japan.”

“We want to reiterate that Delta did not pull out of just Saipan. They pulled out of the entire Micronesia region, Palau, and Guam included,” said Torres, adding that it was a corporate decision from Delta headquarters in Atlanta and had nothing to do with the Saipan-Narita route’s viability.

“In fact, this route remains highly profitable with high yield and positive load factors. As we monitor shifts in the market, it’s only a matter of time before a new airline emerges on the scene.

“We met with a few other airlines that have expressed interest in serving the route. At this time, we cannot divulge that information due to nondisclosure agreements, but we will provide you updates. This opens up opportunities for new airlift from Tokyo, and conceivably from other large cities in Japan,” Torres assured.

“My administration and I remain firmly committed to Japan, and this will never waiver. We want to reassure our Japanese business partners in the CNMI that the Japan market will rebound and there will be more opportunities for growth in the coming future. We ask for everyone’s patience and support,” he added.

Delta Air Lines announced in early February their intention to end the Narita-Saipan flights on May 6, 2018.