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Asiana praised for commitment to CNMI
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Posted on Mar 09 2009
The House of Representatives has lauded Asiana Airlines for its continued commitment to and support of the CNMI’s travel industry since 1992, and is congratulating the airline for being selected as the Airline of the Year 2009 by Penton Media’s Air Transport World.
Penton Media’s Air Transport World, a leading monthly magazine covering the global airline industry, bestowed the award to Asiana Airlines for its commitment to passenger safety and operational excellence.
This award is considered one of the most honorable awards in the airline industry.
“Despite the global recession, Asiana Airlines continues to provide air service to the CNMI from Seoul and Busan, South Korea and most recently from Osaka, Japan,” according to House Joint Resolution 16-25, which was unanimously adopted by the House on Wednesday.
H.J.R. 16-25, introduced by Rep. Diego T. Benavente, said that Asiana Airlines, the CNMI’s sole airline partner from South Korea, has been providing direct flights to the CNMI since 1992.
“There exists a mutually beneficial opportunity for Asiana Airlines and the CNMI with the outbound markets from South Korea and Japan in light of the CNMI’s close proximity and a short travel time from South Korea and Japan to the CNMI,” the resolution stated.
Formerly Seoul Air International, Asiana Airlines is one of South Korea’s two major airlines, along with Korean Air.
Asiana Airlines is a subsidiary of Kumho Asiana, which made a significant investment in the CNMI through the purchase of Laolao Bay Golf Resort in February 2007 and has since made substantial improvements to include a new club house and other facilities, completing the first phase of its $68.8 million luxury golf resort community project on Saipan.
H.J.R. 16-25 said that Kumho Asiana chairman and chief executive officer Sam-Koo Park, through Kumho Resorts president B.K. Kim, reaffirmed Kumho Asiana’s continuing commitment to the CNMI at the December 2008 unveiling of the new Laolao Bay Golf Resort facilities.
This, according to the resolution, is reflected in the continued development of golf resorts on Saipan despite the global economic recession.
