Lee Pan: PAL flights good for Pinoy workers

A direct Manila-Saipan route by Philippine flag carrier Philippine Airlines could have a positive impact on Filipino workers based in the CNMI, Rep. Joseph “Lee Pan” Guerrero (R-Saipan) said.

Guerrero

Guerrero, who chairs the House Committee on Commerce and Tourism, said the direct flights may not have that big of an impact when it comes to tourists coming from the Philippines, but the advantage will be felt by the thousands of Filipino workers in the Commonwealth.

Guerrero said the Marianas Visitors Authority also share the same comment that the impact on tourism may not be that huge.

But the lawmaker said this is “still good news” because now, the CNMI will have an option.

“Nothing against United (Airlines) but now we have leverage and we have more options when it comes to flights to the CNMI,” Guerrero said.

In a committee meeting this week, Guerrero said he discussed the possibility of meeting up with PAL executives in Manila “to get to know what PAL wants to do.” He said the possible meeting has been discussed with MVA managing director Perry Tenorio.

Guerrero called on Filipinos in the CNMI to support PAL’s plans.

“It will be more convenient and I am hoping that the kababayans will support PAL flights,” Guerrero said.

It was reported on Tuesday that PAL is looking at reviving its Manila-Saipan route by operating a new direct service between the Philippine capital and the CNMI starting December this year through its subsidiary PAL Express network.

The new route by the Philippine flag carrier could open up a new source market for the CNMI, lead to cheaper flights, and serve medically referred patients.

Philippine Flight Network—a leading source of airline and aviation news in the Philippines—came out with a story last Sunday reporting that PAL is considering offering two weekly flights to serve the Filipino community in the Commonwealth.

Philippines Airlines used to service the Manila-Saipan route in the early 1990s.

PAL Express intends to operate the flights using its fleet of two 156-seat Airbus A320 aircraft making Saipan the only international destination in the PAL Express network.

Continental Airlines used to offer direct flight between Manila and Saipan.

Century Travel Agency Inc. was reportedly approached by PAL Express network to try and look at the feasibility of opening the Manila-Saipan route.

The MVA also earlier said that they have met with PAL officials and provided statistics on source countries.