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CPA denies suspension of Asiana flights
The Commonwealth Ports Authority denied yesterday that Asiana Airlines would be suspending half their flights in the wake of the outbreak of novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV.
In a short phone interview with CPA executive director Christopher S. Tenorio, he said that he hasn’t heard of Asiana Airlines or any other airlines planning to suspend flights as a result of the novel coronavirus.
Tenorio added that it could all just be a rumor.
“No, we haven’t heard from them. We haven’t heard anything from Asiana. They will still be coming in on their regular flight schedule,” he said.
Finance Secretary David Atalig earlier blamed the revision of the annual revenue estimates for fiscal year 2020 from an initial projected decrease in gross revenues of $39.20 million to $48.38 million on the cancellation of flights from China and Korea.
According to Tenorio, the only airlines that have so far suspended or cancelled their flights in February are Sichuan Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Beijing Capital Airlines, and Hong Kong Express Airlines—all due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Travelers from mainland China arrive in the CNMI through carriers such as Hong Kong Express, China Eastern Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, and Beijing Capital Airlines.
Sichuan Airlines suspended all flights to the CNMI from last Jan. 31 until further notice.
Last Jan. 30, Sichuan Airlines provided “ferry-in” and “live-out” service. It means that the airline arrived in the CNMI with no passengers and left with travelers.
China Eastern also cancelled all flights from last Jan. 31 until further notice due to the virus.
Beijing Capital Airlines cancelled all flights until the end of February.
