CPA nears getting FAA nod on Rota runway project

The Commonwealth Ports Authority is hoping to strike a deal with the Federal Aviation Administration for the approval of a project aimed at improving the skid resistance of the Rota International Airport runway.

CPA Board Chair Roman S. Palacios said the agency is currently in the final stages of discussion wit U.S. aviation officials for FAA approval on the re-sealing of the Rota airport runway under the facility’s proposed rehabilitation project.

Mr. Palacios pointed out that current efforts are focused at improving the skid resistance of the island’s air transport facility runway in order to make it less slippery especially now that the rainy season is already approaching.

However, CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas said rehabilitation of the existing Rota airport runway is no more than just a temporary solution to for the island’s air transport needs, adding that this has been prioritized due to the absence of sufficient money to fund further improvement.

The runway rehabilitation project costs about $3.3 million, according to the ports authority official.

“Though this project should dramatically improve the runway conditions on Rota, it can only be seen as a temporary solution for that island’s air transportation needs,” Mr. Salas said in a letter to the CNMI House Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications.

FAA previously disclosed no funds are yet made available to facilitate major infrastructure projects in CNMI air transport facilities which may take improvement of the Rota International Airport longer.

FAA Airports District Office Acting Manager Daniel S. Matsumoto earlier said there is not enough funds available under the Airport Improvement Program to finance the island’s request for runway surface treatment.

He was responding to a letter by Rota Mayor Benjamin Manglona asking immediate FAA assistance for the improvement and rehabilitation of the island’s international airport runway and facilities.

The mayor emphasized that prospects are bright for the island’s economic program which is not expected to take off unless Rota’s air transportation woes, including absence of sufficient infrastructure, are addressed.

He added a jet service to and from the island would only become possible if and when airport runway and terminal facilities are rehabilitated and improved, thereby, securing the safety of incoming and outgoing passengers.

However, an undertaking like improvement of the Rota air transport facilities is not likely to happen overnight since CPA would have to do an environmental assessment in order to avoid altering historical sites or animal habitat.