Teno asks Continental to showcase new fleet in CNMI

Following a big event on Guam that unveiled the newest fleet of Continental Micronesia aircraft, Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday urged the air carrier to do the same in the CNMI to show its commitment in the region.

Dozens of media from the Philippines, CNMI, Japan, Hawaii and other island nations in the Western Pacific were flown to Guam to take part in the event to welcome the first two of nine Boeing 737 jets the airlines have acquired to upgrade its fleet.

Tenorio said “he was surprised” about the open house held on Wednesday by the Guam-based carrier for public viewing of the new jets which begin their operations today.

“I don’t know whether they are going to do the same thing here on Saipan, in the CNMI. Maybe that was overlooked,” he said. “They could have flown over here and have the same open house so that the people of the CNMI will also be happy to see the new B 737.”

CNMI officials and the regional carrier have been at odds in recent years over its business decision to scrap nonstop service to Saipan from several Asian cities.

The island government has claimed the decision has further reduced the number of visitors here as they would prefer to travel to destinations with direct flights.

However, Continental, which has been servicing the region for the last 30 years, has justified the decision due to shrinking passenger traffic brought about by the Asian recession and making Guam as a hub would make its operations more efficient and narrow profit loss.

It also argued that the number of seats allotted to the CNMI has not decreased despite the elimination of the nonstop service from Japan, Hong Kong and the Philippines.

Airlines executives and Guam officials led a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday at the airport hangar to formally present the new aircraft which they hope will improve further its service in Micronesia, increase efficiency and fly more passengers from key Asian cities to the region.

Continental Micronesia President Bill Meehan said the upgrading of its fleet shows the company’s “hundred-percent commitment” to promote the various destinations in the region in international tourism markets, particularly in Asia.

Part of the air carrier’s fleet rejuvenation plan at a cost of some $315 million, these jets will replace four B757 and five B727 it plans to retire within the next 15 months. (Benhur C. Saladores)