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CPA: Saipan airport ready for China market
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Posted on Dec 31 2004
Saipan International Airport has sufficient facilities to handle the influx of tourists expected to ensue after the signing of the Approved Destination Status agreement between the CNMI and the Chinese governments, according to the Commonwealth Ports Authority.
CPA executive director Carlos Salas noted that before the Asian economic crisis hit the CNMI tourism industry in 1997, the airport was servicing some 800,000 passengers a year. This figure is about 15 percent more than the 2004 enplanement that totaled only 681,000 passengers.
“We think we still have the capacity to handle flights with the existing facility. We won’t probably need to construct additional jetways within the next five years,” he said.
Salas added, however, that the Saipan airport runway will undergo rehabilitation in 2005. He said CPA will continue talks with airlines on their schedule while the project is ongoing, to ensure efficiency and safety on the runway.
Saipan International Airport accommodates wide-bodied aircraft such as DC10s and Boeing 747s. The airport is equipped with a 8,700-feet long runway with parallel taxiways and a main terminal with six jetways.
No announcements have been made yet regarding the introduction of additional flights between China and the CNMI.
But Salas said China Southern Air submitted an application to the Federal Aviation Administration in November 2004 to operate scheduled flights, as opposed to charter flights, from China to Saipan and Tinian.
He added that China Eastern Air is also looking at adding new flights to its current schedule. This plan, however, will depend on passenger demand and availability of aircraft, Salas said.
Gov. Juan N. Babauta formally signed the ADS memorandum of understanding with Chinese government officials in Beijing on Dec. 30.
The ADS serves as a guide for Chinese tourists when making travel choices overseas. Chinese tourists are able to travel to ADS countries more easily as part of pre-organized tour groups. The status will also allow the CNMI to openly promote the destination in China.
