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Flights cancelled due to strong winds
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Posted on Jun 28 2004
Departing passengers at the Saipan International Airport were stranded Sunday afternoon after several airlines decided to cancel or delay its flights out of Saipan due to strong winds and bad weather.
But Commonwealth Ports Authority executive director Carlos H. Salas stressed that the Saipan International Airport remains open, although security measures in terms of flights in and out of Saipan are at the discretion of airline operators.
Yesterday, Northwest Airlines decided to cancel its flight but Japan Airlines and Continental Airlines went ahead with their scheduled arrival and departure at the Saipan airport.
Also, Salas said all small planes would not proceed with their flight schedules under the existing weather condition. He said regular operation at the Saipan Seaport was cancelled due to rough waters.
“There is an existing security measure at both Saipan airport and seaport under this kind of weather condition. All small planes would be tied down to prevent accidents and sea vessels are advised to halt operations in and out of the Saipan harbor,” said Salas in an interview.
He said all sea vessels at the Saipan Seaport were ordered secured. Also, no vessels were ordered to leave or allowed inside the Saipan channel due to rough waters.
Salas said no notice of further cancellation of flights were received. Of all signatory airlines, only Northwest was reported to have cancelled its flight Sunday.
According to reports, Northwest decided to cancel its flight to Saipan and its flight departing Saipan Sunday afternoon. JAL, however, proceeded with its flight yesterday. Continental flight from Guam arrived as scheduled.
Salas said that under this weather condition, airline managements have their own response plans to follow but CPA would be there to ensure that flights in and out of the airport would be safe.
