Skymark: 92.6 pct. on-time departure

Skymark Airlines Inc. donated 3 million Japanese yen or about $30,000, while Access, the Marianas Visitors Authority’s representative office in Japan, donated 1 million Japanese yen or about $10,000 to the MVA for the CNMI’s recovery efforts from Super Typhoon Yutu’s devastation.

The Skymark team, led by its executive officer Narutoshi Terada, and Access representatives handed the donations to MVA board members and its officials and staff at the MVA general membership meeting at Fiesta Resort & Spa’s Hibiscus Hall last Friday.

The CNMI government and Skymark recently signed a co-promotional agreement that would open direct flights between Japan and Saipan.

Skymark is Japan’s third largest carrier and the first low-cost carrier in Japan. It is also the only carrier that offers domestic flights based at Haneda International Airport in Ota, Tokyo.

Terada later said in an interview their company is very pleased with their “mission” in the CNMI.

“We’re thrilled, excited but also a little bit nervous,” said Terada, through Skymark’s assistant general manager John Furuya, who acted as interpreter.

Terada said that, by working with the CNMI, they feel that they can help the Commonwealth’s economy.

Terada believes Saipan will be an attractive place for Japanese tourists where they can enjoy and relax with their family.

Terada said Saipan is good for Japanese tourists, especially during long weekends because it is only a few hours of travel away, with many activities to enjoy and relax such as water sports and even casino gambling.

Terada said they will be doing charter flights first, but will later be offering regular daily operations.

MVA managing director Christopher Concepcion said they are very happy that the Skymark team joined MVA’s general membership meeting, that the audience at the meeting and the people of the CNMI are excited to see the Japanese market return.

Concepcion said they are also very grateful for Skymark’s donation. He said Skymark’s as well as Access’ donation will be given to Karidat Social Services, which will fill the gaps that other big organizations can’t fill.

“So, we’re working with Karidat right now…to be able to give this donation to them,” he said.

He said they’re appreciative of these companies’ efforts to help the CNMI. “You can see that they…are willing to help the CNMI,” said Concepcion.

During the Skymark’s presentation about their company, assistant general manager John Furuya said they just celebrated their company’s 20th anniversary.

He said they are the fifth largest airline in Japan and currently operates 27 planes and is getting two more in 2019. “Although we are operating just domestic routes, we have 154 flights a day,” he said.

Furuya said they have 92.6 percent on-time departure. “This is the best in Japan,” said Furuya, drawing applause from the audience at the meeting.

He disclosed, among other things, that their flight cancellation rate is only 0.59 percent.

He said they are operating 21 domestic flights, serving 11 cities in Japan.
Furuya said they are not only planning to operate scheduled flights to Saipan in fiscal year 2019, but also to Palau.