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‘Immigration waiting for Tinian’s ILS’
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Posted on Sep 18 2008
Nobody knows when the instrument landing system at Tinian’s airport will finally be installed, according to Immigration director Melvin Grey.
Grey said his Immigration staff is still waiting for the ILS, as this will open up the Tinian airport to international traffic.
“Nobody knows for sure because they keep getting different days—maybe six months, maybe eight months, maybe 12 months. So we don’t know,” he said.
Once the ILS is installed, it will allow China charter flights to land on Tinian, he said.
“But again there’s no date. The feds don’t know because nobody knows….it’s on order, but until it is on the ground when they make the delivery on the order, we don’t have the date,” he said.
Commonwealth Ports Authority staff engineer earlier stated the ILS will likely serve as a “useful tool” for landing on the island during storms.
CPA has reportedly offered a contract to design the system to the engineering and architectural firm Thales Inc.
Tinian government officials have long sought the construction of the ILS to boost the island’s tourism industry.
Officials said having an ILS will also enable the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino and future casinos to be more aggressive in securing charter flights to the island and could increase the number of tourists.
