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Former senator wants clarity on CPA power to lure new airlines
The authority of the Commonwealth Ports Authority is “unclear” when it comes to negotiating or talking with airline companies that might be interested in having flights to the CNMI, according to former senator Pete P. Reyes.
As one of the appointed board members of the CPA, Reyes also said he will “seek to empower” the CPA if he gets the Senate’s nod on his appointment.
“It seems the Marianas Visitors Authority has taken that responsibility,” Reyes said.
This authority to talk or negotiate with airline companies is seen as important in light of recurrent delays in the flights of Cape Air, the only airline servicing flights from Guam and the CNMI and vice versa.
“Cape Air is becoming a frustration,” Reyes said, adding that if CPA has the authority to talk with other airlines, it will do it right away.
Reyes, however, said he is ready to work with any agency, including the MVA, to resolve issues such as the Cape Air delays.
As of the moment, though, CPA does not have a quorum, as it awaits the confirmation of three board members.
Reyes, along with Jose R. Lifoifoi, and Roman T. Tudela, faced the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations on Capital Hill on Wednesday for a hearing on their appointments.
Cape Air executives were supposed to meet with Gov. Eloy S. Inos on April 1, but that did not push through due to the lack of flights. The meeting was apparently scheduled amid the growing discontent with the services of Cape Air.
The meeting was seen as an opportunity for Cape Air to clear the air on the continued delays of flights that has been going on for almost weeks at a time. Some CNMI lawmakers are already planning separate moves to invite Cape Air over.
