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Tinian airport to welcome 1st int’l flight
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Posted on Jan 10 2018
The Tinian International Airport is finally living up to its name as it welcomes its first international flight—a chartered plane from Hong Kong—at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, Jan. 12, at around 12:30pm.
For many years, TIA’s passenger traffic was dedicated to inter-island travels from Saipan, Rota, and Guam.
Tinian Mayor Joey Patrick San Nicolas said that the completion of the Tinian International Airport has been a long time coming.
“Starting with the Gov. Pete Tenorio and Mayor Francisco M. Borja administrations to today, realizing he completion of the Tinian International Airport is a dream come true for the people of Tinian,” he said.
“Having direct flights from Asia is the key to Tinian’s economic development. We are grateful to the present and prior Commonwealth Ports Authority boards and staff, to Gov. [Ralph DLG] Torres, and the Capital Improvements Projects for their leadership,” San Nicolas added.
Now that TIA can accept flights from overseas, it is also seen as a gateway for the economy of Tinian to flourish.
“By having direct flights to Tinian, it is our hope that Tinian will become a major player in the CNMI tourism industry. Granted that we need to open up more rooms for our guests, but the completion of the TIA is a step in the right direction,” San Nicolas said.
“We are looking forward to Bridge Investment Group, Alter City Group, and Tinian Entertainment Group moving forward with their plans to build hotels and casinos on Tinian,” he added.
San Nicolas said that aside from the ribbon cutting at the TIA, other events are happening on the island.
“Aside from the ribbon cutting, the 16th Tinian Municipal Council is scheduled to hold its confirmation hearing for two of my nominees to the Municipal Scholarship Board: Porsha Palacios and Rodney Cabarles,” he said.
“With the spring semester upon us, it is crucial that the board have a quorum to conduct business. One issue the board will deal with is scholarships for the master’s program,” he added.
