DOT to help NMI in luring airlines

The Philippine government will have to negotiate with the United States to allow the Armenian Airlines to establish direct service between Saipan and Clark Air Base in Pampanga province, just north of Manila.

Rep. Rosiky Camacho, chair of the House Public Utilities, Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, disclosed from Washington D.C. that the U.S. Department of Transportation is willing to help the CNMI facilitate the entry of the carrier in order to improve air service on the island.

But before the application is approved by DOT, the U.S. government must secure authority from Philippine officials on behalf of Armenian Airlines to operate the charter flights to Saipan, he said.

Mr. Camacho, along with other members of the House leadership who are currently visiting the nation’s capital, personally lobbied the federal office to seek its permission for the direct service from the Philippines planned by the airline.

This followed adoption of a resolution last February by the lower house requesting Washington to grant a Foreign Aircraft Permit before it can start its operations.

The CNMI government, through the Aviation Task Force created under the Economic Recovery and Revitalization program of the governor, has been trying to encourage other foreign airlines to service the islands following Continental Micronesia’s decision to stop direct flights to Saipan.

Seen as an alternative carrier to meet the market demand, Armenian Airlines is expected to boost tourist arrivals from the Philippines and provide service to thousands of Filipino contract workers in the Commonwealth with its plan to offer lower fares and more acceptable schedule.

The House leadership expressed hope that the U.S. will permit the carrier to fly here, noting that their meeting with senior transportation officials led to a commitment for more cooperation between the two parties.

“They are willing to help us and they will inform us by next week whether [the application] will be approved,” said Rep. Norman Palacios in a telephone interview from Washington.

Bradley Mims, deputy assistant secretary for international aviation at the department, had even indicated to them that they have begun a few weeks ago an inquiry into the transportation problems facing the CNMI, according to Speaker Benigno R. Fitial.

This is part of President Clinton’s Interagency Group on Insular Area or IGIA, an economic program intended to help the CNMI, Guam, the Virgin Islands and American Samoa.
Marianas leaders had in the past raised the issue on air transportation in several meetings with federal officials who have promised to help them.

“[Mr. Mims] said they created a committee that would look into the airline situation in the territory,” said Mr. Fitial, adding that the department will soon present a report to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio.

But the House speaker stressed they would look into the issue of Armenian Airlines separately since the carrier, through the CNMI, is asking for a permit to be issued for its operations here.