Air Saipan to land on Saipan tarmac in February

Air Saipan, Ltd. reiterated its full commitment to enhance passenger traffic to Saipan, as it disclosed over the weekend that the aircraft it is leasing from a U.S. airline company would arrive the Francisco Ada International Airport on Feb. 15.

Air Saipan chairman Dean Mills said the aircraft, which it would lease from an undisclosed U.S. airline company, would be based on Saipan. The aircraft will provide charter services between Saipan and Asian countries, including Japan and Korea, as well as Australia.

Mills clarified, though, that the contract with the U.S. airline company would be subject to approval by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Air Saipan has disclosed plans to initially provide charter services and enhance passenger traffic to Saipan from various tourist markets. It disclosed plans to apply for an Air Operating Certificate, possibly in mid-January, to become a full-fledged air carrier.

“Once we have our own AOC, the charter flights will be replaced with our own operations,” Mills told the Saipan Tribune. “We are 100-percent committed to Saipan.”

Air Saipan’s stakeholders would grace today’s inaugural ceremonies, which mark the beginning of a new administration in the CNMI government, led by Gov.-elect Benigno R. Fitial and Lt. Gov.-elect Timothy P. Villagomez.

Among the company’s stakeholders are Mills, Dave Raybould, and Craig Champion. Raybould earlier placed the company’s initial investment at $3 million, but expected it to rise quickly. Once the company’s plan to offer flights services materializes, it will become the CNMI’s flag carrier.

Raybould, meanwhile, confirmed Friday that Air Saipan’s leased aircraft would land the Saipan International Airport’s tarmac on Feb. 15.

Air Saipan has communicated its plan to offer flights services with the Commonwealth Ports Authority. POI Aviation also disclosed that Air Saipan has tapped its ground-handling services at the airport once the flight services begin.

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.