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Chinese carrier gets permit for additional flights
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Posted on Apr 23 2002
The U.S. Department of Transportation on Saturday approved China Southern Air’s application for additional 100 charter flights to Saipan from Guangzhou, after reaching an agreement on several navigation and concession issues.
The Commonwealth Ports Authority yesterday confirmed that the U.S.-DOT has approved the carrier’s application for more charter flights to the island. China Southern Air made its inaugural flight to the CNMI early Saturday morning.
The approval would allow the airline company to complete its chartered flight agreement with the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino, which calls for 104 roundtrip flights between Saipan and Guangzhou.
The Tinian Dynasty, in collaboration with the Tinian Dynasty Travel Company and its Washington-based lawyers, secured the additional flights allowing the airline company to provide air service to the CNMI up to April 18, 2003.
“No restrictions; they can now proceed and comply with the charter agreement. The twice a week flight can now proceed without any hindrance. Concession agreements were approved by the U.S.-DOT,” said Salas in an interview.
The report came after the CNMI government disclosed plans to collectively seek the support of the US transportation department in securing the additional flights.
“The China market is a good market, if we will be able to secure the additional flight permit, we are seeing an additional 19,000 tourists to the CNMI,” Salas added.
In addition to this, the CPA executive director stressed the need to effectively promote the CNMI in China to disseminate information effectively that will entice Chinese travelers to visit the CNMI.
He said that with the entry of the China Southern Air, the Northern Marianas is anticipated to witness a major increase in tourism-related business activities akin to the expected influx of Chinese travelers into the islands.
