BUOYED BY MARKET GROWTH Asiana eyes more direct flights to NMI

Asiana Airlines is eyeing additional direct flights from key cities in Korea to Saipan as the number of visitors from the second largest market for CNMI’s tourism industry continues to increase amid the country’s economic resurgence.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio offered his assistance to the carrier during a courtesy visit by some Asiana officials to his Capitol Hill office, noting that direct flight service to the Commonwealth is important to the island’s economy.

At present, Asiana flies daily from Seoul and three times a week from Pusan to Saipan, bringing in thousands of visitors to the island.

The growth in Korea, traditionally the island’s second biggest source of tourism revenues, resulted in a 74 percent jump last April compared to the same period in 1999, according to the Marianas Visitors Authority.

The increase was attributed mainly to the resumption of Asiana’s Pusan flights which boosted weekly airline seats from Korea to 2,183, or a 2.5 percent growth, MVA said.

Mr. Tenorio said airline officials have assured the government of assistance in ferrying more Korean tourists by adding more flights when the traffic further improves in the next few months.

“They indicated that they might increase the direct flights,” he told reporters yesterday after meeting with them at the Governor’s Office.

“I’m very happy because when we have direct flights and when you have new tourists, everybody will be making some [money]. At least the private sector will benefit by having more tourists coming into the CNMI,” added the chief executive.

While there was no discussion on possible assistance by the government to Asiana, such as incentives and reduction in airport fees and other charges, Mr. Tenorio stressed they are open to such requests.

“Anything we can do let us know, and [we can] meet with [Commonwealth Ports Authority] people. If there is something that needs to be done to assist them, [CPA officials] will have to do so,” he said.

Asiana officials who paid the visit to the governor said they don’t have any specific plan yet on additional direct flights, but they are “exploring” the possibility.

The island government has been trying to lure other international carriers to service the Commonwealth as part of the efforts to revive its tourism sector which has suffered heavily since 1997 following the economic crisis that hit Korea and Japan, its largest market.

Korean Air pulled out from Saipan in August 1997 immediately after the tragic jet crash on Guam which further pulled down visitor arrivals from that country.

Continental Micronesia then scrapped its direct flights from Seoul and Pusan, leaving Asiana the lone carrier servicing passengers from these markets.