Rota airport sustains heaviest damage as CPA assesses Bavi impacts across CNMI ports

The Commonwealth Ports Authority said Rota's airport and seaport sustained the most significant damage from Super Typhoon Bavi, while airports on Tinian and Saipan are steadily returning to service as crews continue assessing facilities across the Commonwealth.

Benjamin Taisacan Manglona International Airport on Rota remains the hardest hit. CPA said preliminary recovery efforts have cleared debris from the runway, but the airport remains without commercial power, radio communications, weather reporting capability and an operational windsock. Pilots are being advised to exercise extreme caution and rely on visual approaches when landing. The agency is also continuing a comprehensive assessment of the airport's overall condition.

CPA board of directors chair Bart Jackson said communications with Rota remain difficult, limiting the amount of information immediately available.

"I know that there is extensive damage to the airport and that the seaport, which was previously damaged in Sinlaku, was, we think, additionally damaged, but that's now being assessed," he told Marianas Press in a Zoom call from Guam last July 7.

Jackson said the airport remains without power and there is still no estimate for when commercial service can fully resume.

"We do know that there's no power at the airport and that there's substantial damage at the Rota Airport. We have no timeline yet on when service will resume."

He noted that one important milestone has already been achieved.

"The runway is free from debris, which is always a good thing. It's the beginning of the repair, but we're not quite ready for operations."

Jackson said restoring the airport is a top priority because it serves as a lifeline for disaster response.

"Aid flights are important. Supplies, first responders coming there. So it's really critical to have the airport open."

He added that CPA would not compromise safety in rushing to reopen facilities.

"Safety and security are the main goals... We have to be safe and we have to be secure."

The Rota West Harbor, which had existing infrastructure issues before Bavi after being damaged by Super Typhoon Sinlaku, is also undergoing assessment. CPA said it anticipates the latest storm may have caused additional damage and will release more information once inspections are completed.

On Tinian, CPA reported that Francisco Manglona Borja International Airport sustained damage to its terminal building and portions of its perimeter fencing, although repairs to the fencing are nearly complete. The airport remains without power, but its runway and taxiway are clear of debris and safe for operations. CPA expects the airport to reopen for daytime commercial flights beginning Wednesday, July 8.

Jackson confirmed commercial service would resume during daylight hours.

"[The] Tinian airport has no power. At this point, there will be flights beginning tomorrow. So day flights are available to fly into Tinian."

The Port of Tinian also remains under assessment, with CPA saying updates will be issued once inspections are completed.

Saipan's transportation infrastructure escaped the worst of Bavi. At the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport, preliminary inspections found the runway and taxiway clear of debris, runway lighting fully operational and all Federal Aviation Administration navigational aids functioning normally. Minor repairs are underway to Jet Bridge 2, airfield signage and pavement markings. Although the terminal has only a limited water supply, a generator provided by the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. is powering the main water source, while the airport, control tower and Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting facilities continue operating on generators. CPA said the airport is capable of resuming both daytime and nighttime flight operations, subject to airline scheduling and regulatory approvals.

Jackson said the airport remains operational despite some lingering issues.

"I can confirm that Saipan airport is open for day flights and night flights."

He added, "It's working. There are leaks, there are electrical issues. We're working on the jetways, but it's open for business."

At the Port of Saipan, CPA personnel are working with the U.S. Coast Guard to inspect port facilities and navigational conditions before normal maritime operations resume. The port office is operating on generator power while inspections continue.

Jackson explained that seaport inspections require more time than airport assessments.

"The assessment for seaports takes just a bit longer."

As airports gradually reopen, United Airlines is scheduled to resume service today, July 8, with an arrival at 8:50am and departure at 9:55am. Jeju Air is expected to resume flights on July 9 with a scheduled arrival at 2am and departure at 3:05am, while Hong Kong Airlines remains on track to resume service on July 12. Jackson also emphasized that relief operations for Rota remain the immediate priority.

"We're going to organize rescue flights and allow planes to come in as quickly as possible."

He urged residents across the Commonwealth not to forget those on Rota.

"We should take care to remember and look out for our relatives and fellow citizens in Rota, who suffered and will continue to suffer for a while."