Construction of Tinian airport begins today

The Commonwealth Ports Authority is expected to beef up efforts in enticing major airline companies to provide nonstop air transport services to Tinian as construction for the island’s multi-million airport formally begins today.

Executive Director Carlos H. Salas said proposed improvements on the existing West Tinian International Airport, including runway expansion, have been communicated with CNMI signatory airlines for over two years now.

Mr. Salas said discussions with airline executives will continue while the project is ongoing for their possible deployment of nonstop flights from major countries in Asia to Tinian, which is home to the only casino-gambling facility in the Northern Marianas.

“Improvements on the Tinian airport facility have been forwarded to all major carriers for at least a couple of years now. We have talked with executives of Continental Micronesia, Japan Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Asiana Airlines and Mandarin Air,” he said.

He added that more airline companies that are yet to provide air transport services to the Northern Marianas may also come in once the project is completed in 18 months.

Mr. Salas said CPA has joined hands with the Marianas Visitors Authority and the business sector in intensifying efforts to promote the unique value of the CNMI’s three major islands as prime tour destinations.

“We’re continuing to promote the CNMI. We have been marketing Saipan as a commercial haven where tourists can do shopping and play golf, Rota as an ecotourism sanctuary and Tinian as a casino-gaming hideaway,” he said.

While none of the CNMI signatory airlines are yet to commit into dispatching air transport services to Tinian, Mr. Salas is confident that flights will eventually be deployed to the island after the facility has been completed.

He explained that airline companies normally decide on the deployment of flights to a particular destination after the market has been established and the demand requires for more services.

“After the facilities are put in place and after we have lined up the market, then the airlines will definitely come in. They don’t make commitments until all things are finished or until the facilities are completed and the market is ready to come in,” he stressed.

Tinian will witness history unfold today as government officials and business sector leaders gather on the island for the groundbreaking of the $17 million West Tinian International Airport runway project.

CPA Board of Directors yesterday formally adopted a resolution awarding the contract to build the new Tinian airport runway to lowest bidder Telesource CNMI, Inc., which offered to build the 8,600-linear-foot runway at $16.9 million.

The contract will be formally signed by CPA and Telesource officials during the scheduled groundbreaking ceremony on Tinian on today.

The ports authority has made about $17 million in total funds available for the West Tinian International Airport improvement project, almost half of which were sourced out of FAA grants.

FAA has provided about $13.5 million in total financing for the West Tinian International Airport expansion project, while the balance has been pledged by members of the Tinian Legislative Delegation through the island’s Capital Improvement Project funds.

The project will be carried out according to the specifications stated under the Alternative Bid which calls for the construction of an 8,600-linear-foot runway, two 600 linear-foot taxiways, one 200 linear-foot partial taxiway; and the conversion of the existing 6,000 linear-foot runway to a parallel taxiway.

It will also include the construction of 2,296 linear-foot parallel taxiway connecting to Runway 26 and rerouting 4,400 linear-foot of 8th Avenue, which will form part of the proposed 7,600 linear-foot runway.