The tourism and travel industry offers a mixed picture of the islands against a bleak picture of visitor arrival numbers.
First the good news: Asia Pacific Airlines has added a Boeing 757-200PCF with RB211 engines to its fleet, putting the freighter into service this month, according to the airline.
The aircraft is on lease from Titan Aircraft Investments.
Asia Pacific currently flies three PW2000-powered aircraft — all 757-200PCF conversions. They are the 1993-vintage unit 27203; the 1992-vintage unit 25441; and the 1991-vintage unit 25140.
Asia Pacific Airlines had previously selected 757s with PW2000 engines because they offer more range, it said. However, the shortage of PW2000 parts has driven costs so high that the carrier decided to move to the RB211 to handle its shorter routes, Asia Pacific said.
RB211-powered 757 freighters outnumber those with PW2000 engines by more than two to one across the industry.
Adam Ferguson, president of Asia Pacific; told the Journal the airline will add a fifth plane to its fleet later this year.
APA typically flies twice a week to the islands in Micronesia, as well as weekly to American Samoa.
The Marianas Visitors Authority again met with Skymark Airlines Inc. in Tokyo on Feb. 19 “to discuss flight opportunities,” according to a Feb. 21 release from MVA. Skymark is the third largest carrier in Japan by passenger revenue according to Statistica, after ANA and Japan Airlines.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and MVA representatives last met April 6, 2023, with Skymark executives, according to Journal files. Skymark previously flew from Narita to Saipan prior to the pandemic, but its hub is currently at Haneda, from where it flies to a number of domestic destinations.
Along for the trip was MVA’s incoming managing director, Jamika R. Taijeron, previously a manager with DFS in Saipan. Christopher A. Concepcion’s last day will be Feb. 28.
The Guam Visitors Bureau has yet to announce a general manager or a deputy GM. The Journal reported that in the board's Jan. 24 meeting, the Search Committee recommended former senator, Régine Biscoe Lee, for the general manager position and Edward J. “EJ” Calvo for the deputy general manager position.
News from the Asia region includes Korea’s continuation of the K-ETA visa exemption period to Dec. 31 for 22 countries including the U.S.
Meanwhile, as of Feb. 14, the U.S. has restricted the visa interview waiver at U.S. consular posts, so more applicants will be subject to interviews. Visa categories affected include H-1B for foreign workers, O-1 for gifted applicants and L-1, which allows multinational companies to transfer certain employees from foreign offices to work in the U.S. In January, the U.S. has restricted the eligibility for visa issuance and approval to several foreign countries “deemed as security or public safety threat.”
As the Journal earlier reported, the Port Authority of Guam welcomed the first cruise ship of the year as the MS Asuka II arrived at the Port Feb. 23. With 642 passengers and 511 crew, the Asuka was the 10th to arrive in 2024. See mbjguam.com: Guam and Saipan cruise map again and mbjguam.com: cruises lie ahead islands 2025 and 2026 mbj