CPA: More United flights in July

United Airlines will expand its flight operations to the CNMI by adding Sunday to their flight schedule starting July 2021, according to Commonwealth Ports Authority executive director Christopher S. Tenorio.

This was learned during the CPA’s board meeting yesterday at the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting office located at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport.

“Currently, United Airlines operates four times week specifically on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. By July 2021, United Airlines will be adding flights in and out of the CNMI bringing the total to five times a week. These flights will be available on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday,” Tenorio said.

For almost two years now and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, United Airlines has been the sole international airline regularly servicing Saipan. It was CNMI’s only link to the world and currently operate flights four times a week from Guam to Saipan.

At the same board meeting, Tenorio also disclosed that a China-based carrier is looking to resume flights to the U.S. territory. “Beijing Capital Airlines has submitted its schedule for Winter 2021 and they intend to operate twice a week from Hangzhou, China. However, Beijing Airlines announced that their schedule is subject to change pending the approval of the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the uncertainty pf the pandemic. Last May 25, Jeju Airlines had charter flights and there will be another on June 8,” he added.

According to Tenorio, CPA management continues to work on various items needed at the airport in preparation for future flights such as upgrading the entry and exit of passengers, beautification and WiFi repair and upgrade.

“Additionally, although the U.S. Centers for Disease Control has changed its guidelines on mask-wearing requirements, CPA management has confirmed with Transportation Security Administration and Federal Aviation Administration that wearing a facemask at the airport is required,” he said.

“Continued used of facemasks at airports is still recommended by the Governor’s COVID1-9 Task Force,” he added.

As for specific plans for the resumption of tourism in the CNMI, CPA board chair Kimberly King-Hinds said things are still being carefully studied. “We have plans but nothing is final yet. In the meantime, the board has been meeting regularly, taking care of business. …We are absolutely getting ready to open up and, as a matter of fact, one of the things that we are looking forward to is the facial recognition technology that we plan to install at the airport. …This makes passenger arrival and departure efficient [when] coming through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security,” she said. “The machines are not here yet but hopefully soon. …This undertaking is a partnership between CPA and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and we are really excited about it.”

King-Hinds said that CPA’s immediate goals are focused on airport repairs, beautification, renewal of leases, and COVID-19 protocols inside and outside the airport once the CNMI opens its borders to the world again.

“One of the biggest improvements we have is the three loading bridges. They are brand new and we are still working on the repair of the other three. These will make it easier for passengers, especially that we are coming up with the rainy season,” she said. “What this means is we don’t want anybody waiting on the tarmac and getting wet. …Chris [Tenorio] and his team are really busy, kind of going and walking around beautifying, getting everything clean and ready in anticipation of us slowly re-opening.”