“The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands wishes to express its deep concern regarding the potential suspension of Korea–Saipan air service beginning March 29, 2026.
As publicly stated by the Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA), both T’way Air and Jeju Air are currently facing operational challenges on the Saipan route due to broader industry conditions, including a strong U.S. dollar, regulatory seat-capacity obligations on the Korea–Guam route following the Korean Air–Asiana Airlines merger, and increasing competition from emerging beach destinations in Japan and Vietnam.
As they review their summer 2026 operations under these conditions, reservations on the Korea–Saipan route have now closed beyond March 28, 2026, raising serious concern that daily services may be suspended unless timely solutions are identified.
Tourism is the primary economic driver of the Marianas, yet the industry remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels due to a convergence of ongoing challenges. Effective March 29, the Marianas will lose all direct air service from South Korea—our largest source market—which accounts for approximately 63 percent of total visitor arrivals. The loss of this connectivity represents a severe and immediate threat to the economic stability of the Commonwealth.
HANMI has joined other local partners in again requesting federal assistance for specific tools that would allow us to maintain revenue generation, including a waiver from cabotage restrictions and consideration for Essential Air Service (EAS) designation, to preserve critical air access. Given the imminent loss of service, federal support is now urgently needed to prevent further economic decline.
From the hotel industry’s perspective, uninterrupted air connectivity from Korea is essential. Korea remains one of Saipan’s most important and dependable source markets, and any disruption would have immediate and far-reaching consequences for visitor arrivals, hotel employment, small businesses, and the broader tourism-driven economy.
HANMI fully recognizes the financial and policy constraints facing the government and tourism authorities. This statement is not intended to assign blame, nor does it represent the interests of any single business. Rather, it reflects the collective concern of the hotel sector regarding the broader public interest and the stability of the destination.
In addition, the continuation of the EVS-TAP program remains essential to sustaining visitor arrivals from the China market, which continues to be a key component of long-term tourism recovery.
At this critical juncture, HANMI respectfully calls for timely leadership, coordination, and guidance from government leaders and relevant agencies. We strongly encourage continued collaboration to explore practical, policy-compliant measures; such as marketing and demand-support initiatives, that may help prevent a full suspension of service and maintain essential air connectivity during this sensitive period. Timely federal action is critical to stabilizing air service, protecting jobs, and supporting the broader economic recovery of the Marianas.
The hotel industry stands ready to cooperate fully with the Marianas Visitors Authority and government partners in any coordinated effort aimed at sustaining air service and protecting the long-term recovery of Saipan’s tourism economy.
The coming weeks will be decisive. We sincerely hope that, through collective effort and shared commitment, uninterrupted Korea–Saipan air service can be preserved for the benefit of the entire community.”
HANMI Chairman, Dennis Seo
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