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Skymark starts Tokyo-Saipan daily flights
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Posted on Dec 04 2019
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Skymark Airlines president Masahiko Ichie, third and fourth from right, respectively, led the ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 29, 2019, at Tokyo-Narita International Airport in Japan to mark the launch of regular, direct daily flights to the Marianas. From left are a Skymark cabin attendant; Narita Airport Authority Corp. president and CEO Asahiko Tamura; Chiba Prefecture Policy and Planning Department deputy executive director Kotaro Nakamura; Ichie; Torres; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism administrator Yasuo Ishii; and Skymark pilot. (MVA)
Japanese carrier Skymark Airlines Inc. launched direct daily flights from Tokyo to the Marianas on Nov. 29, 2019, marking what is expected to be a revival of Japanese tourism to Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and other officials from the Marianas joined Skymark Airlines president Masahiko Ichie at a flight launch ceremony at Narita International Airport before taking the three-and-a-half-hour flight to the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport, where passengers were greeted by an entourage led by Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios. Miss Marianas 2019 Shannon Sasamoto and island children also presented shell leis and other gifts to arriving passengers.
“This is the day we have been looking forward to for many years,” said Torres. “With the arrival of Skymark’s daily direct flights, the Marianas is ready to welcome back our Japanese visitors to our beautiful islands. …This is truly a great day in our Commonwealth’s history.”
The flights are the only direct service between the Marianas and its once dominant source market for tourists. The flight arrival was followed by a press conference at the airport, where Torres expressed his thanks to the airline for choosing the Marianas as its first international destination. A reception was held that evening at Hyatt Regency Saipan.
“The Marianas Visitors Authority is committed to supporting the revival of the Japan tourism market with marketing and promotions support,” said MVA managing director Priscilla M. Iakopo. “It remains our objective to have a diversification of tourism source markets to help ensure the stability of our Marianas tourism economy. The return of Japan is a much-needed part of that diversification, and we look forward to welcoming more Japanese visitors to Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.”
The flights depart Tokyo daily at 10:15am, arriving at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport at 3pm. In addition to its regular three-tiered fare types, Skymark has introduced a “Saipan Special” to mark the launch of the new route. The special is for travel through March 28, 2020, and offers one-way travel originating on Saipan starting at $38 (fuel surcharge and tax additional). (MVA)
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- The inaugural Skymark Airlines regular, direct daily flights from Tokyo, Japan, to the Marianas received a water cannon salute at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport on Nov. 29, 2019. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)
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- A passenger flashes a “hang loose” upon arrival in the Marianas on Nov. 29 2019, aboard the inaugural daily flight of Skymark Airlines from Tokyo to Saipan. (MVA)
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- Miss Marianas 2019 Shannon Sasamoto greets passengers arriving aboard Skymark Airlines inaugural daily flight from Tokyo to the Marianas at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport on Nov. 29, 2019. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)
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- Passengers arriving aboard Skymark Airlines inaugural daily flights from Tokyo, Japan, to the Marianas on Nov. 29, 2019, are greeted by Miss Marianas 2019 Shannon Sasamoto, Marianas-chan (in blue), and island girls. (MVA)
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- Skymark Airlines chair Nobuo Sayama speaks as Gov. Ralph DLG Torres looks on during the press conference on Nov. 29, 2019, at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport, marking the beginning of the airline’s daily, direct service to the Marianas from Tokyo, Japan. (MVA)
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- Officials of the CNMI government and Skymark Airlines hold a press conference at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport on Nov. 29, 2019, to mark the inauguration of direct, daily flights from Tokyo, Japan, to the Marianas. Seated from left are Skymark chair Nobuo Sayama, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Skymark president Masahiko Ichie, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, and Marianas Visitors Authority board chair Marian Aldan-Pierce. Standing from left are House Transportation Committee chair Rep. Marco Peter (R-Saipan), House Tourism Committee chair Rep. Joseph Lee Pan Guerrero (R-Saipan), House Speaker B.J. Attao (R-Saipan), Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, Senate President Victor Hocog (R-Saipan), Japan Consul Kazuhiko Ono, Skymark deputy GM of International Flight Preparation Office John Furuya, Commonwealth Ports Authority chair Kimberly King-Hinds, and CPA director Barry Toves. (MVA)
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- The Skymark Inaugural Flight Launch Reception is held on Nov. 29, 2019, at Hyatt Regency Saipan to celebrate the start of daily, direct flights between Tokyo, Japan, and the Marianas. (MVA)
