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ASIANA AIRLINES SAFETY RULE PENALTY
Korean businesses in CNMI seek monetary penalty instead of 7-day flight suspension
A petition signed by 120 members of the Korean business community in the CNMI asked the Korean government to impose monetary fine instead of suspending flights to Saipan for seven days over safety rule violation. The Korean community’s sentiment is also reflected in Gov. Eloy S. Inos’ separate letter to the Korean government asking for an “alternative penalty” on Asiana Airlines, given that a seven-day flight suspension to Saipan has a potential negative impact of at least $6.7 million on the CNMI economy.
The petition’s cover letter was signed by Saipan Times president Hong Kyun Kim and Korean Tour Guides Association Chan-Sik Park.
The petition letter, a copy of which was obtained yesterday, is dated June 16, preceding the governor’s June 20 letter also to Korea’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Suh Seoung-hwan.
The letters acknowledge Asiana Airlines’ violation of safety rules, but also noted that the Korean government’s proposed penalty of flight suspension would cause economic injury to the CNMI.
Visitor arrivals from Korea account for 35 percent of the CNMI’s total visitor mix, and Asiana Airlines is the sole carrier between the CNMI and Korea.
The Korean community said yesterday they appreciate the CNMI governor’s letter to the Korean government.
Asiana Airlines acknowledges its safety violation “and will not dispute the government of the Republic of Korea’s action,” the governor added.
Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Perry J. Tenorio earlier said suspending Asiana Airlines’ flights to Saipan for seven days could result in an estimated $6.7 million economic loss to the CNMI based on a load factor of 80 percent. Asiana Airlines is currently providing 3,774 seats per week to the CNMI.
Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced two weeks ago a suspension of Asiana Airlines’ flights to Saipan for seven days for continuing with a passenger jet flight, OZ603, from Incheon to Saipan on April 19 despite discovering signs of engine trouble after takeoff. A warning light came on, signaling a problem in one of the plane’s two engines.
