Mayor wants Rota included in new carrier’s route

Rota Mayor Benjamin Manglona is asking Australian carrier Micronesia Air to include the island in its flight schedule when it starts providing direct air transport service between Sydney and the Northern Marianas.

“As you make application for route licenses, please be sure to put Rota in your route. Service Rota as well as Saipan and other CNMI islands. Rota waits with open and enthusiastic arms to embrace your new service,” said the mayor in a letter to Micronesia Air executive Rex Banks.

Mr. Manglona said Rota’s new airport terminal is one of the most attractive and most modern in the Northern Marianas, adding that plans are already underway to improve the facility’s runway.

“We know that air service is key to our success and we’ve prioritized port improvements. You will like what you will see in Rota, which is poised to move forward in the tourism market,” the mayor pointed out.

The Rota government has undertaken some major improvements to boost the island’s competitiveness and attraction, like the island beautification project and the construction of new parks, in order to draw more visitors.

“We have a very friendly population where the welcoming hand wave is sincere and warm reflex with everyone. We have been called the friendly island,” he said, adding that the island government has also paved roads, improved water security and strengthened power system.

Aside from an excellent tourism infrastructure, Rota also has substantial investment interest from those wanting to build retirement villages, water bottling plants and even a large winery.

“Of course our potential investors like our improved infrastructure. They would also like to see better air service,” Mr. Manglona told Mr. Banks.

Micronesia Air has started concrete efforts to secure a permit from the United States Department of Transportation that will allow the carrier to deploy direct flights between Sydney and Saipan.

Board Chair Roman S. Palacios disclosed the airline company has been in constant communication with the Commonwealth Ports Authority since earlier this year, when the airline company expressed intentions to fly between Sydney and Saipan.

Mr. Palacios said Micronesia Air is also planning to launch direct cargo service between Saipan and Australia, adding that the company has informed CPA that the carrier just recently acquired two 727-200 aircraft.

“CPA fully supports direct flight from Australia to Saipan,” Mr. Palacios said in a letter to Mr. Banks. “We wish you success in implementing your business plan for such services.”

The carrier’s proposal to fly direct to Saipan came as a welcome news to the CNMI government, which even created the Aviation Task Force to specifically lure foreign carriers into providing air transport services between the Northern Marianas and other destinations.

Micronesia Air is planning to utilize 727 aircraft to carry cargo and passengers between the country and the CNMI in its proposed flight services to Saipan from Sydney.

Mr. Palacios said the carrier’s plan to fly between Australia and Saipan will not only mean additional revenue for the ports authority but will also spur visitor arrivals into the CNMI due to the anticipated entry of Australian tourists.