Previous Story
SMA pilots now able to fly to Guam
Star Marianas Air announced yesterday that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has already given its Japanese pilots with documentation that will allow them to fly flights to Guam from the CNMI.
In a statement yesterday, Star Marianas Air thanked USCIS, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP), and other members of the CNMI leadership for their assistance in the matter.
“We look forward to continuing to provide the highest quality of service possible to the communities we serve,” the Star Marianas statement added.
Star Marianas Air president Shaun R. Christian earlier appealed to CNMI leaders, including Torres, to ask for their help in expediting the visas for the three pilots. Before the matter was resolved, the Japanese pilots have been unable to operate flights between the CNMI and Guam since Jan. 11 because USCIS had yet to grant their advance parole applications.
Without the ability to use the three pilots in flights into Guam, Star Marianas was unable to provide medical referral patient transfers and other on-demand charters between the CNMI and Guam. The three Japanese, who have CW-1 visa status, fly Star Marianas’ twin engine Piper Chieftains. (Saipan Tribune)
