Taga Air: Charter flights never stopped

TINIAN—Taga Air president Alfred Yue said yesterday that the airline has continued its chartered flights since it began operations in November last year.

He also said that Taga Air flights have always been on charter basis since it is not allowed yet to fly regular or scheduled flights.

Commonwealth Ports Authority officials had said during a board meeting Tuesday that Taga Air is “grounded” again, pending compliance with necessary federal regulations.

Tinian port manager Ike Perez had said also that Taga Air could still fly charter flights, but not regular or scheduled flights.

“We never had scheduled flights to begin with. We are working toward that but we know that it’s a long process,” said Yue.

He said that what actually stopped was the Taga Air chartered flights by Saipan Travel.

Saipan Travel Inc. used to charter Taga Air during nighttime—from 7:30pm to 11pm—between Saipan and Tinian. These chartered flights lasted only until December due to contract-related issues.

Up to now, Saipan Travel is not chartering Taga Air planes. It is not known yet if Saipan Travel would still be chartering the Tinian flights.

“But that does not mean that Taga Air stopped or is grounded. Taga Air continues to fly charter flights,” said Yue.

He clarified that Saipan Travel and Taga Air are two separate entities.

Taga Air’s major shareholders are senior management officials of Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino.

Yue, its president, is also the hotel and casino’s managing director.

Taga Air’s vice president is Tom Liu, who is Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino’s general manager.

Yue said Taga Air was launched primarily to provide uninterrupted transport service to hotel customers.

The Tinian airport does not have 24-hour flights.

Taga Air flies anytime, depending on the traffic.

Currently, Taga Air has nine aircraft: two Cessna 172, one Cessna 402, one Cessna 150, four Cherokee 300, and one Beech Baron 55.

Yue said that overall investment for Taga Air has exceeded $1.5 million.

Meantime, the airline said that Federal Aviation Administration, which conducted an inspection last week, is expected to grant the company a basic 135 certificate, which would allow it to keep five pilots.

Right now, Taga Air has a single 135 certificate.