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Petition launched to save MSA
A petition to save Marianas Southern Airways, as well as other airlines, was launched with the hope that enough signatures will encourage CNMI officials to sit down with these airlines to come to a resolution that will benefit the community as a whole.
With the recent decision by the administration to terminate the $8-million sole-source contract with MSA; the Federal Aviation Administration’s recommendation that Star Marianas Air pay off what it owes the Commonwealth Ports Authority; and Asiana’s decision to suspend its Korea-Saipan service, members of the community have launched a petition in hopes of making their voices heard.
A concerned CNMI resident, Abelina Mendiola, initiated the petition to save MSA, SMA, and Asiana in hopes of letting CNMI stakeholders know that the community would suffer in the event MSA suspends its flights.
“We rely on access to affordable, convenient, reliable, and safe air transportation between the islands of Guam, Rota, Saipan, and Tinian. We need travel to keep in close contact with loved ones, medical treatment, to bring fresh produce, for work. With two interisland airlines, Mariana Southern Airline and Star Marianas Air, we have choices. We just can’t afford to return to the times when Star Marianas Air suspended their services or even the risk of it happening again. In those times we were stranded and had no alternatives,” she said.
As of press time, 840 individuals have already signed the petition.
According to Rosalinda Perje, an individual who signed the petition, she supports saving MSA as it provides the CNMI community with an affordable option.
“As the economy is getting harder we need an affordable fare and MSA is a big help for some of us who travel for emergency or to visit our loved ones in Guam. MSA is helping the community be able to buy cheap fair for just a 40-minute travel time. I support MSA,” she said.
If you are interested in signing the petition, you may visit: https://www.change.org/p/save-our-airlines-msa-asiana-others-flyts-to-the-rota-saipan-tinian-guam-overseas.
