PIA to increase Rota-Guam flights

Due to increased traffic demand, the Pacific Island Aviation has scheduled an additional service between Rota and Guam on May 24, 1999, said Bob Christian, chief executive officer of the airline.

The new flight will now allow passengers to travel three times a day between Saipan and Guam. PIA flight will depart Rota at 9 am and leave Guam at 12:30 pm.

According to Christian, the demand for additional flight proves that marketing efforts of the Marianas Visitors Authority have been effective in enticing tourists to come to the CNMI. The airline is already accepting bookings for the flight even though it will not be available on the computer system until May 21.

The increase in passenger traffic was also partly due to the growing interest of tourists to visit the Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino. There have been so many requests for advance bookings for flights to Tinian and Rota from Guam as well as between Guam and Saipan.

As a result, PIA has signed a prorate agreement with Asiana Airlines which will enable passengers of the Korean-owned airline to immediately take a connecting flight to Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

Under the agreement, PIA and Asiana will carry out joint marketing efforts that will enable customers to fly between the Mariana Islands and Guam after arriving from Korea.

Christian said such effort would not have been made possible without the support of the Governor’s Aviation Task Force, the Commonwealth Ports Authority and the Marianas Visitors Authority due to certain cost factors. He said he has been encouraged by the cooperation of the CNMI government in promoting the island’s tourism.

Since last month, Asiana Airlines has decided to provide direct Seoul-Saipan service using a B767 six times a week due to the increase in outbound travel from Korea. However, on July 21, 1999, Asiana will begin providing daily flights to Saipan. For a long time, Asiana’s daily B 767 flight with 260 seats is shared by Guam and Saipan

CPA executive director Carlos H. Salas said Asiana’s decision to increase the frequency of flights to the Northern Marianas is a welcome relief to the shrinking tourism market.

The ports authority is hoping that Korean Air would begin servicing the CNMI, almost two years after the tragic crash in Guam which killed almost three hundred people including children.