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Freedom Air eyes former Taga hangar
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Posted on Jul 23 2008
Freedom Air is eyeing a local airline hangar previously occupied by Taga Airlines for a new maintenance and cargo facility after Taga last week handed over its lease on the facility to the Commonwealth Ports Authority.
Freedom Air official Reno Celis in an interview Wednesday confirmed the company is considering the hangar at Saipan’s airport as a future site for its operations.
“We’ve talked to CPA because we’re interested in the hangar for cargo and maintenance,” Celis said, adding that Freedom Air had hoped to take control of the hangar prior to Taga’s lease of it, which came at a $1,000 per month price tag.
“Now that Taga has pulled themselves out, we’re interested in it,” he said, noting that a deal is “in the works right now.”
Taga airlines “surrendered” its lease on the roughly 10,000 square foot hangar last week, according to acting CPA director Lee Cabrera. The lease sparked controversy last year when it came under review by public auditors after lawmakers raised questions about how the board awarded it to Taga.
The hangar now stands vacant for the time being after Taga’s departure. Cabrera said CPA hopes to sign a long-term lease of the site and will review Freedom Air’s proposal to take up residence there when it submits one.
