The Commonwealth Ports Authority is targeting June 20 for the resumption of nighttime international operations at the Saipan International Airport, with executive director Esther Ada saying the airport has made major strides in recovering from the damage left by Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
Ada said CPA initially focused on relief flights and damage assessments following the storm, which caused extensive water intrusion and electrical problems throughout the terminal.
“We’re glad to report that after a couple of weeks of really focusing on our recovery…the priority was to get through the relief flights, but also assessing our infrastructure,” Ada said.
She said power restoration on May 12 allowed crews to begin fixing critical airport systems, including conveyor belts and baggage handling equipment that had been manually operated in the aftermath of the typhoon.
Ada credited assistance from the Guam International Airport Authority for helping restore runway markings and lights, while the Federal Aviation Administration worked on repairing navigational aids.
“We actually set a target date of June 20 to allow for nighttime operations,” Ada said. “Jeju and Philippine Airlines have shared with us that they want to start their night flights June 21st. And then Hong Kong Airlines will start on July 2nd.”
She added that United Airlines is also scheduled to resume its Narita route on July 12.
Despite the progress, Ada acknowledged several lingering issues at the terminal, including roof leaks, compromised roofing membranes, lighting repairs, and damaged jet bridges.
“We do have major leaks in the roof,” Ada said, adding that contractors are being brought in to repair the membrane damage that caused water intrusion inside the terminal.
She said one jet bridge has already been restored while a second was expected to be operational by the end of the week.
Ada also noted that CPA is coordinating with insurance providers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assess damages and improve resiliency across all six ports under CPA’s jurisdiction.
CPA board chair Bartley Jackson echoed Ada’s optimism, saying the airport is largely ready for international traffic to resume once the remaining FAA work is completed.
“The airport has done a great job of recovering itself, of getting back in business,” Jackson said. “Right now, the airport is really ready to go.”
Jackson reiterated that night flights are expected to resume June 20, followed by the phased return of international carriers.
According to Jackson, Jeju Air will begin flying four times a week starting June 21, while Philippine Airlines will resume twice-weekly service on June 22 (arrival).
He added that Hong Kong Airlines is slated to return July 2, while United’s Narita flights are expected back July 12 with three weekly flights.
Jackson said South Korean carrier T'way Air currently has no plans to resume CNMI service due to internal issues, fuel costs, and broader market challenges in Korea.
While some repairs remain ongoing, Jackson stressed that the airport’s essential systems are operational.
“The runway lights are ready. The apron lights are ready. The air-con is working,” Jackson said. “We still have some leaks in the ceiling. We still have some electrical issues that need to be ironed out in the terminal, but effectively none of those things will get in the way.”
Jackson said the return of night flights is critical to reviving the CNMI tourism industry following the devastation caused by Sinlaku.
“It’s very exciting to be back on track,” he said. “Until we begin the night flights, it’s hard for tourism to recover and now that night flights will be back on beginning June the 20th, it's only a matter of time before tourism begins its slow and steady rise back to normalcy.”
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