Dynasty begins talk with carriers for direct flights to Tinian

Upbeat on the construction of the island’s new air transport facility, Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino has started exploratory talks with international carriers for the possible launching of direct flights into the island.

Tinian Dynasty hotel general manager Tom Liu, however, declined to reveal which specific airline companies are involved in the discussion. The company official only said negotiations are already underway.

Tinian Dynasty is now enjoying an average of 50 percent occupancy rate, which translates to a significant improvement from 30 percent a year ago.

The growth was primarily spurred by the entry of visitors from Taiwan following the deployment by Mandarin Airlines of two flights per week between Saipan and Taipei.

“We are talking with quite a few airline companies at this point but I am not at liberty to say which airlines,” Mr. Liu said, dropping hints that the carriers were among those previously approached by Tinian Dynasty for possible nonstop service to the island.

He pointed out that the carriers’ have cited the current state of the West Tinian International Airport runway as the primary factors behind their skepticism to deploy nonstop air transport service to the island.

“But now that the project is already underway, we can now have solid evidence that it is really coming. The project will take about 18 months and that will give us enough time to start negotiations,” Mr. Liu said in an interview.

Tinian Dynasty management is also intensifying marketing efforts in time for the completion of the new West Tinian International Airport to ensure that everything is set for the anticipated arrival of more visitors into the island.

“We are already beginning preparation, our marketing strategies are already in place so by the time the runway is completed, hopefully, the airplane can come right in,” according to the hotel manager.

The hotel executive also described the new Tinian airport runway as the road that is being paved to open up the economic development of Tinian and all the other islands in the Northern Marianas.

Ports Authority Board Chair Roman S. Palacios said the new air transport facility will open the floodgates to tourism and economic development on Tinian, as he expressed confidence that the island’s casino gaming initiative is sure to enjoy a huge market.

“It may seem like a gamble but I believe this is the right place at the right time and we’re about to hit the jackpot. This improvement will help us handle increasing numbers of passengers until we build the international terminal,” Mr. Palacios said.

Discussions between airline executives and CPA are underway while the project is ongoing for the possible deployment of nonstop flights from major countries in Asia to Tinian, which is home to the only casino-gambling facility in the Northern Marianas.

CPA has joined hands with the Marianas Visitors Authority and the business sector in intensifying efforts to promote the unique value of the CNMI’s three major islands as prime tour destinations.

CPA Board of Directors last week sealed the contract with Telesource CNMI, Inc., which will build the new Tinian airport runway after submitting the lowest bid for the 8,600-linear-foot runway at $16.9 million.

The ports authority has made about $17 million in total funds available for the West Tinian International Airport improvement project, more than half of which were sourced out of FAA grants.

FAA has provided about $13.5 million in total financing for the West Tinian International Airport expansion project, while the balance has been pledged by members of the Tinian Legislative Delegation through the island’s Capital Improvement Project funds.

The project will be carried out according to the specifications stated under the Alternative Bid which calls for the construction of an 8,600-linear-foot runway, two 600 linear-foot taxiways, one 200 linear-foot partial taxiway; and the conversion of the existing 6,000 linear-foot runway to a parallel taxiway.

It will also include the construction of 2,296 linear-foot parallel taxiway connecting to Runway 26 and rerouting 4,400 linear-foot of 8th Avenue, which will form part of the proposed 7,600 linear-foot runway.