Delta Air Lines celebrates 25 years of service to Saipan

Delta Air Lines celebrated its 25th anniversary of non-stop service between Tokyo-Narita and Saipan on June 1, 2014.

“We are proud to celebrate 25 years of service between Tokyo-Narita and Saipan as the only airline offering a convenient year-round schedule between Japan and Saipan,” said Vinay Dube, Delta’s senior vice president-Asia Pacific. “Delta’s Saipan flights complement a robust portfolio of scheduled services between Japan and Guam, Palau, and Honolulu offering an unmatched breadth of holiday options for the Japanese traveler.”

“Delta Air Lines is the link from Japan and beyond to the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Because of their service, hundreds of thousands of Japan nationals have visited the shores of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota,” said Perry John P. Tenorio, managing director of the Marianas Visitors Authority. “The Northern Mariana Islands are a well-loved overseas beach destination due to its close proximity and ease of access from Japan. The Marianas Visitors Authority extends its congratulations and appreciation to Delta Air Lines for 25 years of fostering the bonds of friendship between the Northern Marianas and Japan though tourism. The MVA and the NMI travel industry look forward to another 25 years of partnership with Delta Air Lines.”

To celebrate the 25th anniversary, Delta staff will distribute special commemorative gifts to passengers flying between Narita airport and Saipan airport on June 1, 2014.

Delta launched its first flight from Tokyo-Narita to Saipan on June 1, 1989, as Northwest Airlines, using a Boeing 747-200 aircraft twice a week. Currently, Delta operates 12 flights per week carrying up to 2,000 passengers each week using Boeing 757-200 aircraft.

Passengers flying from Saipan can connect to eight U.S. gateways through Delta’s Asian hub at Tokyo-Narita, including New York, Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, and Honolulu and an extensive network within and beyond the United States.

Delta has been the sole airline sponsor of the Saipan Marathon since 2008 and has supported many charitable organizations including the American Red Cross, Commonwealth Cancer Association, Rotary Club of Saipan, Saipan Chamber of Commerce, Northern Mariana Islands Humanities Council, Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, and the Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture, among many other community organizations.

Saipan is the largest of the Northern Mariana Islands and the capital. About 12.5 miles long and 5.5 miles wide, Saipan is the principal island and major commercial center of the archipelago. Formed by a rising coral reef, this tropical paradise offers beautiful white sand beaches with crystal clear water, ocean riding, and fresh, clean air. The island is a popular travel destination among Japanese and Asian travelers.

Delta operates over 40 flights per week connecting Japan and Micronesian islands—Saipan, Guam, and Palau, in addition to non-stop flights to Hawaii, U.S. mainland gateways, and major Asian cities. (Delta)