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CNMI wants ‘open-sky’ authority for entry of foreign air carriers
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Posted on Mar 16 2006
The Commonwealth Ports Authority will petition the U.S. Department of Transportation to grant the CNMI blanket exemption authority to allow foreign carriers to freely fly to and from the CNMI—and boosts its competitiveness as a destination.
CPA executive director Lee Cabrera said that pursuant to the “open sky” policy, the CNMI aims to see expanded air service to the CNMI from Asia and the Pacific region.
It also wants “operational and marketing restrictions” for foreign air carries eliminated, and domestic and international air service integrated.
Further, he said that part of the goals is to provide an opportunity in the CNMI for low-cost air carriers.
CPA documents showed that the agency would petition the U.S. DOT to grant the CNMI “blanket exemption authority” to all foreign air carriers in expanded passenger and cargo transfer activities in the CNMI—Saipan, Rota, Tinian—between points in Asia/Pacific and the U.S.”
CPA’s proposal also wants “blanket exemption authority to all foreign air carriers to serve the CNMI and to co-terminalize the CNMI with points in the U.S.”
The agency also pushes for “exemption authority” for individual foreign carriers to serve additional U.S. destinations “provided that [these] new services are operated via the CNMI.”
Cabrera clarified that “foreign carriers” include U.S. carriers.
He said the agency has yet to finalize the petition paper.
“It’s not a simple task but we’re hopeful about it,” he said.
The open-sky policy would result in air service competition among airlines.
