CPA: PAL's return welcome, but CNMI needs more international flights

The Commonwealth Ports Authority welcomed the return of Philippine Airlines' direct flights between Saipan and Manila later this month but said more international air connections are needed to improve travel options for residents and help rebuild the CNMI's tourism industry.

CPA board chair Bartley Jackson said the resumption of Philippine Airlines service on Oct. 26 from Saipan is a positive development, particularly for the CNMI's large Filipino community, which has had to travel through Guam or South Korea to reach the Philippines.

"We need to diversify, and we need more flights, but it really only scratches the surface," Jackson said in a phone interview with Marianas Press.

Philippine Airlines will resume nonstop service with a flight departing Manila on Oct. 25 and the first return flight leaving Saipan on Oct. 26.

The airline will initially operate twice weekly, with flights from Manila on Wednesdays and Sundays and departures from Saipan on Mondays and Thursdays.

Jackson said representatives of the Philippine flag carrier recently visited Saipan in preparation for the route's return.

He said the direct flights would make travel significantly more convenient for CNMI residents, particularly Filipinos visiting relatives, seeking medical care or participating in sporting events.

The service would eliminate the need for passengers to travel through Guam and wait hours for connecting flights to Manila.

"You don't have to go through Korea. You don't have to go through Guam. You can go direct to Manila," Jackson said.

Aside from serving local residents, Jackson said the route could also generate additional visitor arrivals from the Philippines, although he acknowledged that the country is not among the CNMI's primary tourism markets.

Japan and South Korea remain important markets, and Jackson said CPA continues efforts to attract more flights from both countries.

He said the authority is also interested in restoring air connections with China.

"There's a lot that needs to be done, and we're actively working on rebuilding those routes," Jackson said.

Meanwhile, Jackson said Philippine Airlines may have missed an opportunity by not resuming service earlier, when foreign workers in the CNMI were traveling to the Philippines to comply with federal immigration requirements.

The issue involves the so-called touchback requirement under the federal CW-1 program, which allows eligible CNMI employers to hire foreign workers temporarily. Certain workers must leave the CNMI before becoming eligible for another period of employment.

Philippine Airlines regional head for Japan, Korea, and Oceania Bryan Sansolis earlier told Marianas Press that the airline delayed its return partly to allow the CNMI to recover from recent typhoons and because it needed sufficient passenger traffic in both directions rather than relying primarily on workers traveling to the Philippines for touchback.

Jackson, however, believes the airline could have benefited from the demand created by workers returning to the Philippines.

"I can't help but think that they missed a great opportunity," Jackson said.

He acknowledged that decisions on when to resume flights ultimately rest with the airline.

"In their opinion, they didn't think it was worthwhile. My opinion is that they could have made it work," he said.

According to Philippine Airlines, the restored route will also provide passengers from Saipan with connections through Manila to destinations across the Philippines, including Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Bohol, and Palawan.

Travelers will also be able to connect to international destinations such as Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, and Kuala Lumpur.

The airline said the route is intended to support tourism, business, education, medical travel and visits to family and friends.

Flights can be booked through the Philippine Airlines website, mobile app, ticket offices, and accredited travel agents.

Jackson said CPA would continue pursuing additional carriers and routes, emphasizing that the return of one airline is only part of the effort to improve the CNMI's air connectivity.