Regular Skymark flights start Nov. 29

Skymark Airlines Inc. announced yesterday the launch of its first ever regular international service, a non-stop flight connecting Narita, Japan and Saipan starting Nov. 29, 2019.

Skymark’s daily regular flights are scheduled to depart Tokyo at 10:15am, arriving at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport at 3pm.

In a press release yesterday, Skymark said it is offering affordable fare options that are already available in Japan domestic flights to its first ever regular international service.

Skymark also introduced a special offer called “Saipan Special” to mark the launch of the new route between Tokyo and Saipan.

Tickets will be on sale from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, 2019.

Under the “Saipan Special” promotion, from Nov. 29, 2019, to March 28, 2020, Skymark’s special offer for one-way fare per passenger is $38 or 3,800 Japanese yen.

Taxes and fuel surcharge, however, will be imposed in addition to the applicable international flight fare.

In welcoming Skymark’s announcement, Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres said Japan and the Japanese tourism market are very valuable to the Marianas and that they are all excited with the launch of direct flights next month.

“Everyone in our community is looking forward to Skymark’s service, and we cannot wait to fully welcome back our Japanese visitors to our beautiful islands,” said Torres in the Marianas Visitors Authority’s press release.

The governor thanked Skymark president Masahiko Ichie and his team for their partnership with the CNMI to make yesterday’s announcement a reality.

“Skymark’s success is the Marianas’ success,” Torres said.

Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios said Japan and the Marianas are connected by history and culture more than any other island nation in the Pacific.

With this new partnership with Skymark, the relationship between Japan and the Marianas will grow closer and stronger together, Palacios said.

“We look forward to welcoming you all back to your second home on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota,” Palacios said.

MVA managing director Priscilla M. Iakopo expressed MVA’s gratitude to Skymark for announcing the new regular air service.

Iakopo said there has been much hard work and perseverance in making this possible and that MVA is excited for the new opportunities the service will open.

Iakopo said MVA is committed to ensuring the success of these flights with its marketing and promotional support.

“We warmly welcome all Japanese visitors to our beautiful islands,” she said.

From March to September this year, Skymark flew 19 charter flights to Saipan.

Last March 22, Skymark made a historic touchdown on Saipan with a chartered B737-800 plane carrying 173 passengers, making it the first Japanese carrier to fly directly to Saipan since Japan Airlines withdrew from the CNMI in 2005.