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Skymark resumes normal direct flights to Saipan
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Posted on Jan 16 2020
After cancelling its Saipan to Narita flight last Monday due to the eruption of Taal Volcano in the Philippines, Skymark Airlines Inc. resumed normal direct flights operation yesterday.
In response to Saipan Tribune’s request for an update on their flights, Skymark Airlines International Flight Preparation Office assistant general manager John Furuya said in an email that all flight were operating normally yesterday, and that they are “very pleased to see all passengers happy and enjoying their trips.”
Furuya said that Skymark Airlines took care of all affected passengers last Tuesday, when the airline had two inbound flights and two outbound flights that day. The two extra (rescue) flights were intended for those passengers originally going out of Saipan Monday.
He said Tuesday’s original flight went out at 4:37pm with 172 adults and two infant passengers, while the additional rescue flight left Saipan at 5:26pm with 93 adults and two infant passengers.
Furuya said the first and second flights arrived at Narita at 6:51pm and at 7:38pm, respectively.
“Both flights arrived earlier than the scheduled time of arrival,” he said.
United Airlines also had an extra section scheduled yesterday between Guam and Manila to accommodate remaining affected passengers as a result of the volcanic eruption.
Taal Volcano, a small volcano in the Batangas province south of Manila, spewed ash and steam last Sunday. Fallen ash covered the runways at Manila’s international airport Sunday night. All departing and arriving international and domestic flights were suspended “due to volcanic ash in the vicinity of the airport” and nearby air routes.
Taal lies around 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Manila. (With AP)
