‘Decision to cancel Tinian ILS project inconsiderate’

A member of the Tinian Legislative Delegation yesterday described the decision to cancel the instrument landing system project as an “inconsiderate” move by Tinian lawmakers who should actually be pushing it on behalf of the Tinian tourism industry.

Sen. Jude Hofschneider said he disagrees with the decision to scrap the project, citing the reason as unjustified.

The ILS project has been in the works since 2006 but was delayed due to opposing views and funding issues. It finally got $4 million from the Office of Insular Affairs in 2007, with the money taken from the island’s wastewater project.

Hofschneider, who attended the meeting between CPA and the Tinian delegation, said he had recommended consulting the gaming commission and existing and prospective business operators before making a decision on the issue.

“As a member, I am not in support of canceling the project. I believe we’ve gone so far on the ILS. For me, canceling the project in its entirety is not the best move. Why not push for at least the design work? I don’t think the exclusion of the China market in the U.S. waiver program justifies scrapping the whole thing,” he told Saipan Tribune yesterday.

“I believe we should continue at least the design phase…and I am sure we can come up with the additional money to complete the project [in the future],” he added.

Tinian Legislative Delegation chair Sen. Joseph Mendiola earlier said they decided to stop the ILS project as a result of the exclusion of the China market from the U.S. visa waiver program. He said they are looking at transferring the project’s funds to priority projects at the Tinian airport.

Hofschneider said he is worried that OIA may not allow the transfer or reprogramming of the funds for other purposes.

“They cannot just disregard the ILS because it already has funding which can be asked to be returned by OIA. I know the $4 million is not enough for the whole project, but I am pretty sure we can find additional money for that project. All I ask is to at least push through with the design phase…because it’s been in the works for a long time,” said Hofschneider.

Yesterday, Sen. Joseph Mendiola confirmed that a meeting between the CIP administrator, CPA, and delegation is scheduled for Monday.

“We will work it out on Monday,” he told Saipan Tribune.

Mendiola confirmed Hofschneider’s attendance at the meeting with CPA.

Hofschneider disclosed that the instrument landing system is among the requirements and conditions of new casino investors like Bridge Investment LLC, which will cater to mostly Chinese tourists and travelers.

“From the very start, they’ve been very straightforward to say that they will not land on Tinian without the ILS,” he said.

He added that the ILS project was, in fact, among the undertakings considered for funding using federal stimulus funds.

“ILS is vital in our tourism industry. We already committed over $20 million to improve our airport, including the runway, because our goal is to make it an international airport and in order to do that, we need to have international amenities like ILS,” he said.

Hofschneider, however, admitted that the existing airport on the island can accommodate direct flights and provide safe landing for aircrafts.

The lawmaker believes an ILS will improve air traffic to the island.

Sen. Hofschneider yesterday countered information that the project is being pushed for a planned pilots’ school on Tinian—at the expense of the government.

“I am not aware of such a plan…but if there is, why not?” he told Saipan Tribune.

He asked the delegation to consult with the gaming commission and the lone casino operator on island, Tinian Dynasty Casino & Hotel, and prospective operators before coming up with a final decision on the project.

“Let’s hear what they would say first before we finally make the decision,” said Hofschneider.

Saipan Tribune tried to reach the Tinian Dynasty casino, the commissioners, and Bridge Investment LLC to get some comments but calls were not returned as of press time.

ILS facilities are a highly accurate and dependable means of navigating to the runway. When using the ILS, the pilot determines aircraft position primarily by reference to instruments. The equipment, usually installed in big airports, provides the lateral and vertical guidance necessary to fly a precision approach, where glide slope information is provided.