HK Airlines to begin direct flights to Saipan next week

Hong Kong Airlines is the latest carrier that will offer direct flights to Saipan, launching its inaugural route from Chek Lap Kok Airport to the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport on July 6.

Hong Kong Airlines’ entry pushed the number of major air carriers that fly to the CNMI to nine. Low cost carriers Jin Air of South Korea and Philippine Airlines Express launched their respective direct flights to Saipan from Seoul and Manila earlier this month.

Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Chris Concepcion said a few more international air carriers will each have their own launching of inaugural flights to Saipan later this year. More than 10 airlines are expected to fly to the CNMI by 2017.

“These are exciting times for the tourism industry. We expect an increase of passenger load in the coming weeks, especially with the entry of another airline flying direct to the CNMI,” Concepcion told Saipan Tribune.

He added tourist arrivals in the CNMI would further pick up in the coming months despite a 5-percent decrease in hotel occupancy rate based on figures from May 2015 to May 2016.

Asiana Airlines, Delta, Jeju Air, Sichuan Airlines, China Eastern, and Dynamic Airways are the other air carriers the fly from their respective destinations to the CNMI.

“We’re expecting a few more airlines launching their inaugural flights this year. The Hong Kong-Saipan direct flights is also part of one of our source markets, which is China.”

He added that the MVA is hopeful that Japan would soon follow since reviving the Japan tourism market was one of the plans that was discussed in last week’s general membership meeting at the Royal Taga Hall of the Saipan World Resort.

CNMI tourism officials are also optimistic that through MVA’s destination enhancement programs, the various hotel construction projects, and new restaurants opening up would attract more tourists—especially from new markets—to visit and see what the islands offer.

The CNMI’s elected leaders and MVA board members are expected to meet and greet the passengers, which would also include Hong Kong Airlines officials, of the inaugural Hong Kong-Saipan flight. Passengers will be welcomed with leis and mwarmwars.

Hong Kong Airlines chief commercial officer Li Dianchun said, in a story posted on traveldailynews.asia, the launching of the Saipan service is their way of welcoming summer and offer more choices to passengers that want to visit tropical islands.

“Boasted with this new service, Hong Kong Airlines will continue to grow our route network in the Asia Pacific region, providing more flexible travel options to passengers from around the world and further strengthening Hong Kong’s position as one of the world’s major aviation hubs.”

Hong Kong Airlines aims to target tourists who love water sports since the CNMI, especially Saipan, has a lot of beautiful beaches that has crystal clear water and one of the world’s best destinations for scuba divers.

The inaugural flight leaves Hong Kong at 5:30pm on Wednesday and arrives on Saipan at 12am on Thursday. The Saipan-Hong Kong flight is every Mondays and Thursdays.

Hong Kong Airlines has an aircraft fleet of 30 composed of 11 Airbus A320-214s, six A330-223s, three A330-243s and five A330-343, and five A330-243F for its airfreight and cargo services.

The 292-seater Airbus A333 aircraft, which has 32 business class seats, will be used for the inaugural flight to Saipan.