Philippine Airlines resumed its Manila-Saipan service last Oct. 26, following months of postponements in the wake of Super Typhoon Sinlaku, with its first returning flight touching down at Francisco C. Ada-Saipan International Airport at around 4:25am, nearly three hours behind schedule.
Despite the delay, arriving passengers welcomed the restoration of direct flights between Manila and Saipan, eliminating the need to transit through Guam or South Korea.
Some relatives and friends of arriving passengers told Marianas Press they had been waiting at the airport since around 2am.
Passengers booked on the outgoing Saipan-Manila flight were also alerted to the delay and had to wait at the airport lounge before their departure.
Unlike the resumption of Jeju Air and Hong Kong Airlines services, there were no Marianas Visitors Authority representatives to welcome the returning Philippine flag carrier.
Saipan resident Christopher Hart, who was returning from a family visit to the Philippines, said the direct service was a welcome convenience.
"It's really nice not having to, you know, just being able to go straight back home from Manila," Hart said.
Hart said some family members had also traveled to the Philippines for medical treatment at St. Luke's Medical Center. He described the flight itself as generally comfortable despite the delay.
Lourdes Samonte of CTSI Logistics, who arrived for a conference, also welcomed the direct connection.
"Of course, it's a lot easier, it's just unfortunately, it's delayed," she said.
Samonte said she had previously booked flights under PAL's earlier plans to resume service, but those plans were subsequently canceled.
Another passenger from Taiwan, who connected through Manila and was visiting Saipan for the third time, said the flight was convenient despite a delay of about two and a half hours. The passenger also described the aircraft as comfortable and spacious.
Commonwealth Ports Authority board chair Bartley Jackson welcomed PAL's return, saying the restored connection would help the CNMI's economic recovery.
"On behalf of the board of directors of the Commonwealth Ports Authority and the people of the CNMI I want to welcome back the flag carrier of the Philippines, PAL," Jackson said in a statement to Marianas Press.
He said the airline's return was a welcome addition to the CNMI's air service.
"The addition of direct service to Manila from Saipan is sure to help us on the road to economic recovery," Jackson said.
MVA acting board chair Vicky Benavente also welcomed PAL's return, emphasizing the importance of international air connectivity to the CNMI's tourism industry.
"One of the most important aspects of marketing a destination, such as the Marianas, is having flights to and from international airports. The MVA will continue to garner airline partnerships that will result in an increase in our visitor arrivals. We are fortunate for the opportunity to work with Philippine Airlines," Benavente said.
PAL is operating the Manila-Saipan route twice weekly using an Airbus A321 aircraft with business and economy class seating.
Flight PR2571 departs Manila every Wednesday and Sunday at 7:45pm and is scheduled to arrive on Saipan at 1:45am the following day.
The return flight, PR2572, departs Saipan every Monday and Thursday at 2:50am and arrives in Manila at 5:05am. All times are local.
The MVA board approved a $400,000 sole-source promotional agreement with PAL during its Oct. 13 meeting to support the airline's winter and summer services and promote the CNMI as a tourist destination.
The restored service provides a direct connection for tourists, Filipino workers, business travelers, and CNMI residents traveling to the Philippines and beyond.
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