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Airline operations back to normal, stranded passengers out of Saipan
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Posted on Jun 29 2004
Airlines operations returned to normal yesterday after Typhoon Tingting slowly moved out of the CNMI’s jurisdiction, prodding signatory airlines to catch up with their backlogs and fly out stranded passengers on Saipan.
Commonwealth Ports Authority executive director Carlos H. Salas disclosed yesterday that all 800 stranded passengers were flown out of Saipan International Airport up to 11:30pm—the last flight to Guam by Continental Airlines.
Salas said flight schedules were returned to their original timetable, adding that operations—both airline and airport—would be normal today.
Also, Salas said seaport operations would return to normal today after almost three days of inactivity due to the typhoon.
“Airlines are done with all stranded passengers. They caught up with the last number of passengers last night at 11:30pm via Continental Airlines to Guam. All flights returned to normal operations and operations would be normalized today,” Salas explained.
The Saipan International Airport received hordes of guests trying to get out of the island after being stranded for two days. Of the stranded passengers, a large number was part of the Continental Airlines’ diverted flight from Honolulu.
The passengers had initially been told that operations would be back to normal Monday. After one flight from Guam, however, Continental Airlines decided to halt further operation as typhoon Tingting roared through Saipan.
There was zero visibility as of Monday afternoon, with Tingting gaining strength after making landfall on the Marianas archipelago Sunday night.
All stranded passengers bound for Tokyo, Guam, Honolulu, and other destination were brought to several Saipan hotels where they stayed.
Salas said Guam was temporarily inaccessible Sunday afternoon but Guam International Airport was working hard to normalize its operations.
“Guam is working hard and gearing up for its operation. It is waiting for flights to come back and all their facilities are also back,” he added.
On Saipan, all small aircraft deferred inter-island transit due to strong winds and zero visibility.
