Star Marianas resumes inter-island connectivity

The first commercial flight out of Saipan since Super Typhoon Sinlaku struck the CNMI took off Saturday morning, April 18, marking a tentative but symbolic step in the islands’ recovery.

At least three flights from Saipan to Tinian had been completed as of mid-morning, along with one Saipan-to-Guam trip described as a “rescue flight,” with Star Marianas Air working to restore inter-island connectivity.

Pilot Hanae Otani, in the controls of Star Marianas Air’s N4254R aircraft, took off from the Saipan Commuter Terminal at approximately 8:08am, carrying Tinian residents Aaron Q. Mendiola and Haidee Awitan back to their devastated home island.

For Star Marianas Air president Shaun Christian, the priority was ensuring the safety of the airline’s fleet and restarting operations as quickly as possible when asked about the resumption of flights—a day after Gov. David M. Apatangissued on all-clear after the Sinlaku left a wake of destruction on Saipan and Tinian.

“Our hangar survived in Tinian. We had 10 airplanes in there. They’re all undamaged. The remaining 13 airplanes we sent to Guam on Sunday and we were able to get hangarage down in Guam, so our fleet is safe. We’re slowly but surely trying to get the airplanes back up to Saipan and Tinian to be able to start helping with relief efforts.”

Asked on how Tinian looked up from the sky after Sinlaku, he said, “It’s devastated, but I also saw Saipan on the way in and Saipan looks pretty bad, too.”

Christian said flights to Guam are not expected to resume immediately.

“Guam flights not until Monday. But that’s pending [U.S. Customs and Border Patrol] coordination.”

He added that service to other islands is being worked on, albeit gradually.

“Rota, we’re going to try and start or schedule flights to Rota tomorrow (Sunday, April 19).”

On the regularity of flights to its home-base of Tinian, Christian said they’re not sure yet.

“Tinian, we’re just going to run shuttles, but we’re limited. So, because half of our fleet is still down in Guam, we can only handle a limited amount, but we know that there are residents that need to get to their families on Saipan and Tinian.”

He said it all boils down to getting the rest of their fleet back to the CNMI.

“There are already some [Federal Emergency Management Agency] representatives down in Guam that will be chartering up to Saipan as soon as we get down there. So, we’re starting the operation and trying our best to get everything moving as quickly as possible.”

Christian also urged patience from the traveling public as recovery continues.

“Just understand that we’re all recovering and we’re going to do our best to help as quickly as we can. But I really want to make sure that we treat each other with grace and patience here because about half of our staff in Tinian lost their homes right now. And yet, they’re still more than happy to come out and help serve the community.”

For passengers like Mendiola, the priority was returning home and beginning cleanup efforts.

“To see—situate our house, make sure all the damages and debris is out of the way. We got some significant damage to not only our property, but also our vehicles. Minimal damage to the interior of the house, which we’re blessed for. The cars are damaged, but it’s better than what could’ve possibly happened,” he said.

Despite the circumstances, he expressed gratitude for the limited flights now available.

“Shout out to SMA for their resilient staff and for the company for allowing us residents to fly back and forth to Tinian and Saipan, given the circumstances. We’re grateful,” said Mendiola, who is on Saipan awaiting the birth of his and his wife’s baby girl.

He also volunteered that he jokingly suggested to his wife to name their next child Sinlaku, but was firmly rejected.

Another passenger, Haidee Awitan, returned to Tinian after being stranded on Saipan for days.

“I’m going home because that’s where I live. Everything was destroyed. It was really bad there,” said Awitan, who brought with her gallons of water back to her family.