Northwest agrees to launch new flights from Tokyo to CNMI

Northwest Airlines announced last week that it would introduce a new second nonstop service between Tokyo’s Narita Airport and Saipan. This decision follows Gov. Benigno R. Fitial’s recent visit to Japan to meet with senior Northwest Airlines executives to push for the launch of a new flight, and to re-assure NW that the new administration will support the airline to the maximum extent possible.

The new service from Tokyo, which begins on April 24, 2006, will operate a second Boeing 747 Jumbo jet from Tokyo, flying three times a week. The flight will carry 400 economy and 30 business class passengers, for a total of 430 seats. As a result, this second NW flight from Tokyo will generate an additional 5,160 additional seats from Japan per month, a major boost for the CNMI’s tourism industry, which has been reeling as a result of the pullout of JAL from the CNMI in October last year.

As a direct result of last week’s meetings in Tokyo, Northwest and Fitial signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding confirming the CNMI’s support for NW, and confirming a multi-agency marketing package contributed to by the MVA and CPA in support of a new flight. Gov. Fitial instructed the MVA to aggressively market the new NW flight and urged the Commonwealth Ports Authority to provide discounts on passenger service fees under a standing policy to encourage airlines to launch new flights.

Fitial commented upon his return from Tokyo, “I had excellent meetings with Northwest in Tokyo, and we understand each other well, businessman to businessman. I made it clear to NW that the CNMI urgently needs the additional air seats and that we will make sure the new flights are filled, with the MVA working with NW to aggressively market the flights. We hammered out a Memorandum of Understanding over this last weekend, and I’m delighted that NW has already responded with this week’s announcement of a new flight from Tokyo to Saipan.”

Jeff Bernier, Director of Sales and Trade Marketing for Northwest Airlines in Japan commented: “Today’s announcement of our additional Saipan flight is a clear indication of Northwest’s continued dedication to the CNMI and Japan market. The incremental flights were made possible in large part thanks to the Governor and MVA’s willingness to work with Northwest on enhancing tourism between Japan and CNMI.” He added, “Our key travel agency partners requested more seats to Saipan and we delivered. I look forward to working with them to deliver positive results for the Governor and the people of CNMI.”

Jerry Tan, newly appointed to the MVA Board of Directors, accompanied the governor to Japan in an unofficial capacity pending his confirmation to the board. He commented: “The MVA has been in discussions with NW on a possible new flight, and the governor’s final push week was the key to sealing the deal. Based on an average spending per Japanese tourist of $1,332, we’re looking at the new NW flight bringing in $27.5 million over the next five months, which is a huge boost to our MVA members, to the Government’s revenue base, and to the entire community. The MVA is investing to secure this second Narita flight, and our investment will be paid back many, many times over. This is the kind of investment that the MVA will continue to make to help revitalize the economy.” (PR)