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POI Aviation will be Air Saipan ground handler
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Posted on Jan 05 2006
POI Aviation will provide ground-handling services to Air Saipan Ltd. once the new air carrier starts providing charter flights to Saipan.
POI Aviation general manager Frank Camacho said Air Saipan has tapped his company’s ground-handling services and has informed the Commonwealth Ports Authority about the plan.
“We were appointed by them [Air Saipan’s officers] already. They’re just completing the paper works,” Camacho said.
POI Aviation also provides ground-handling services for Asiana Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and charter flights of Japan Airlines, Omni Airlines, China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, among other carriers.
Camacho said, though, that there has been no definite date yet as to when Air Saipan would begin charter services.
CPA executive director Lee Cabrera earlier disclosed that Air Saipan has sent his office a letter about the company’s plans to provide charter services and promote Saipan as a tourist destination.
Air Saipan’s Dave Raybould told the Saipan Tribune recently that the company will initially use two Boeing 757 jets to provide charter services. According to Raybould, investment figures would soon rise from the initial $3 million, as the company wants to be a full-fledged airline and Saipan’s flag carrier.
According to Raybould, the company chose the name Air Saipan to enhance the destination’s international image. Besides Raybould, who takes charge of the company’s Asia-Pacific operations, other company stakeholders include Dean Mills, chairman and majority shareholder; and Craig Champion, who takes charge of sales and marketing.
Raybould said Air Saipan would tap Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and other Asian markets, as well as Australian tourists. In Australia, Air Saipan has been meeting with travel agencies to promote Saipan, according to Raybould.
The Marianas Visitors Authority has vowed to fully support Air Saipan once the company realizes its plan to introduce flight services to the islands. MVA chairman David Sablan earlier said the agency would develop travel packages from Australia, which Air Saipan plans to tap, among other tourist markets.
