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Northwest flights normal despite strike
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Posted on Aug 23 2005
Northwest Airlines is operating its normal flight schedule into and out of Saipan amid the air carrier’s ongoing labor dispute with its mechanics.
Regino Celis, deputy director of the Commonwealth Ports Authority, said Northwest had not reported any delays or cancellation of its service between Saipan and Narita or Nagoya. “So far everything is alright. Flights are operating as scheduled,” Celis said.
Flight operations at the A.B. Won Pat Guam International Airport were disrupted after a Northwest jumbo jet experienced landing trouble on Aug. 19, Friday. Due to closure of the Guam airport runway, some flights were diverted to the Andersen Air Force Base and the Saipan International Airport.
The airport reopened after several hours with one runway available and went back to full operation on Sunday.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is now investigating the incident, which took place on the same day that the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association went on strike due to failed negotiations with Northwest.
In a news statement issued yesterday, Northwest assured customers that it would continue to operate normally despite the mechanics’ strike.
“On the final day of AMFA negotiations, August 19, we experienced an AMFA job slowdown. Those actions had an impact on our transitional operation,” Northwest said. “Now that the initial transition period is nearing an end, we anticipate our operations will remain normal. We apologize for any inconvenience these issues may have caused some of our customers.”
Northwest also reported that a combination of trained and licensed management staff, veteran technicians, contract and vendor mechanics was ensuring the safety of Northwest flights.
