T'Way flies away, PAL delays return as CNMI air recovery slows

The CNMI's aviation recovery suffered a major setback this week as T'Way Air suspended service to Saipan indefinitely, Philippine Airlines postponed its planned return until October, and several other carriers pushed back the resumption of flights following Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

Commonwealth Ports Authority board chair Bart Jackson said the departure of T'Way represents the most significant blow to the tourism industry's recovery efforts.

"They have suspended flights indefinitely," Jackson said. "For the immediate future, there will be no T'Way flights to the CNMI."

Jackson said the Korean low-cost carrier's withdrawal appears tied to broader corporate decisions made after the airline was acquired by a private equity group with business interests in Guam.

"We know that there has been a refocus of their efforts from the CNMI to Guam," Jackson said. "They continue to fly to Guam and we hope in time they'll return to the CNMI as well."

CPA officials had worked extensively to keep the route alive, offering incentives and operational flexibility, but were ultimately unable to convince the airline to stay.

"We made every effort to be flexible, to offer them discounts, to encourage them to stay," Jackson said. "But at the end of the day, it's their decision and we can only do so much."

Jackson said economic conditions in South Korea also contributed to T'Way's decision.

"Their business is not good. The Korean won is not strong relative to the dollar," he said. "It's unfortunate that when they decided to cut routes that the CNMI got cut."

The loss leaves Jeju Air as the only Korean carrier currently scheduled to serve Saipan.

Despite T'Way's departure, Jackson said CPA remains optimistic and is actively pursuing replacement carriers.

"We are actively engaged with Korean Airlines to see if we can convince them to return to the CNMI," he said, adding that discussions are also underway with airlines serving other Asian markets.

Jackson's comments came as CPA announced additional delays in the return of several airlines to Saipan.

The airport is expected to resume night operations on June 20, allowing international carriers to gradually restore service.

According to Jackson, Jeju Air is now scheduled to become the first international carrier to return, with four weekly flights beginning June 21. Philippine Airlines, which had been expected to resume service on June 22, has postponed its return until the winter season in October. Hong Kong Airlines has delayed its return from July 2 to July 12, while United Airlines has pushed back the resumption of its direct Narita service from July 12 to Aug. 2.

"We were hoping that Philippine Air told us they were coming back the night after on June 22nd, but it looks like they've chosen to delay their flights until the winter season, which is sometime in October," Jackson said.

While the delays are disappointing, Jackson acknowledged that the CNMI's tourism infrastructure is still recovering from Sinlaku.

"The reality is, I think it's difficult to accept tourists in our current condition," he said, noting that many hotel rooms remain occupied by Federal Emergency Management Agency personnel, Red Cross workers, and other recovery teams.

"There is not a lot of room for tourists," Jackson added.

CPA is also working with the administration to expand visitor access through a proposed Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, with a delegation expected to travel to Manila later this month to continue discussions.

Despite the latest setbacks, Jackson remains confident the industry will recover.

"I think that the future of the CNMI's tourism is good," he said. "In time, things will return."