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DC firm wants to help NMI on ‘open sky’
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Posted on Mar 18 2006
A Washington D.C.-based aviation law firm is willing to help the Commonwealth Ports Authority expand and open its skies to foreign air carriers.
Washington Rep. Pedro A. Tenorio, in a Feb. 24, 2006, letter to CPA consultant Carlos Salas, said that Hogan & Hartson, a premier law firm specializing in aviation and surface transportation issues, showed an interest in the CNMI’s proposed open sky petition with the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Tenorio said he met with George U. Carneal, a partner of Hogan & Hartson, “to discuss your interest to retain the services of an aviation law firm in assisting CPA in its efforts for expanded air services to the CNMI.”
He said the law firm has over 1,000 lawyers practicing in 23 offices worldwide including Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Tokyo.
The firm reportedly represents clients such as China Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Delta, JALAir, Air Canada, Air Jamaica, and Austrian Airlines.
Tenorio said Carneal, a former general counsel of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, likewise represented Tinian Dynasty in the application of China Southern Airlines with the U.S. DOT for an exemption authority to engage in the scheduled foreign air transportation services from China to the CNMI.
China Southern and Eastern Airlines currently fly to Saipan on a charter basis, bringing passengers mainly for the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino.
Both airlines are expected to fly directly to Tinian once the West Tinian International Airport gets the necessary instrument landing system.
“I have shared with Mr. Carneal your draft specific exemption for CNMI’s petition to DOT and he appeared interested in assisting you and CPA in these efforts,” said Tenorio.
In a draft petition, CPA is asking the DOT to grant the CNMI blanket exemption authority to allow foreign carriers to freely fly to and from the CNMI from Asia and the Pacific region as well as the U.S.
It also wants operational and marketing restrictions for foreign air carries eliminated and domestic and international air service integrated.
