HK Airlines postpones Saipan flight; other carriers adjust schedules due to Champi

Hong Kong Airlines has postponed its Oct. 19 Saipan flight by one day, while Star Marianas Air and Micronesian Air Cargo Services have announced flight cancellations and possible schedule changes following Typhoon Champi's approach to the Mariana Islands.

In an update provided to the Commonwealth Ports Authority, Hong Kong Airlines said flights HX072 and HX073, originally scheduled for Monday, Oct. 19, have been canceled and rescheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 20.

The revised schedule has the aircraft arriving at the Francisco C. Ada-Saipan International Airport at 2:45am Tuesday and departing at 4:05am.

Joan Boongaling, Saipan station manager for Hong Kong Airlines, said 69 passengers are affected by the schedule change and are staying at Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan while awaiting their flight.

Meanwhile, Star Marianas Air said it is targeting Monday afternoon, Oct. 19, to resume flights between Saipan and Tinian, depending on weather conditions.

The airline said scheduled flights serving Saipan, Rota, and Guam remain canceled Sunday and Monday, with normal operations expected to resume Tuesday, Oct. 20.

Star Marianas Air added that its Tinian hangar will remain open.

Micronesian Air Cargo Services, meanwhile, canceled all cargo operations scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, and Sunday, Oct. 18, because of the typhoon.

The company clarified that it does not operate regularly scheduled passenger flights on Wednesdays, Saturdays, or Sundays.

However, its Monday flights serving Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam could face delays, schedule changes, or cancellations depending on weather conditions.

The company said it continues to monitor conditions and will announce any changes to its flight schedules.

The Commonwealth Ports Authority earlier reported cancellations of United Airlines flights scheduled for Oct. 18 and 19.

The authority also imposed weather-related restrictions on vessel movements at Saipan, Tinian, and Rota seaports ahead of the typhoon.Meanwhile, the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands has yet to provide information on how many tourists have been stranded in the CNMI because of flight disruptions caused by Champi.

Passengers needing to adjust their Star Marianas Air bookings may call (670) 433-9997, 433-9998, or 433-9999, or email reservations@starmarianasair.com.

Micronesian Air Cargo Services passengers may follow the company's official social media account, @flymacs, for flight updates.