NMI to lose flights, Saipan visit of USS Shoup a bright spot
Jeju Air, which operates twice-daily flights from Seoul to Saipan, will suspend its night flight from Sept. 8 to Sept. 30 due to low ticket sales and fares. The airline is also considering suspending flights from Oct. 12 to Oct. 25, though that decision has not yet been finalized.
T’way, which operates daily flights from Seoul, suspended its service for periods in the coming months: Aug. 18 to Sept. 28, Oct. 14 to Nov. 22, and March 15 to March 31, 2026.
Seat capacity into the Northern Mariana Islands has plunged from approximately 760,000 in fiscal 2018 to just 260,000 projected for fiscal 2025 — a 66% overall loss, including 59% from Korea and the 100% loss from mainland China, once the NMI’s second-largest source market, according to the Marianas Visitors Authority.
MVA met with five current and potential airline partners earlier in August in Korea in an effort to stabilize air service to The Northern Mariana Islands. The tourism office warned that without immediate intervention, additional cuts to flights are expected in the coming months.
MVA Board Chairman Warren Villagomez and Managing Director Jamika R. Taijeron met with the airlines to seek commitments for a consistent flight schedule, which they said is the backbone of tourism recovery and growth.
The authority said it is taking several steps including requesting the U.S. Department of Transportation to reaffirm and operationalize Annex VI of the U.S.–China Air Transport Agreement so it functions as originally intended; reinforcing partnerships with influential stakeholders and developing programs to attract Japanese travelers; resuming flights from Hong Kong Airlines on Sept. 21; submitting a formal request for financial resources to improve air access and exploring a temporary, restricted cabotage waiver to allow non-U.S. carriers to provide essential service, following a meeting with the U.S. Department of Transportation; launching a new sustainability initiative this month to support the development of new products, services, and experiences that align with global travel trends, and advancing a global branding project, due to launch in October, to reintroduce the destination with a fresh brand and perspective that highlights the culture, people, and uniqueness of the NMI.
Additionally, MVA is updating its procurement regulations to improve its ability to respond to rapidly changing conditions affecting visitor arrivals to the Northern Mariana Islands.
At its July 31 meeting MVA’s board of directors voted to adopt changes to its procurement regulations to establish procedures for airlift development and update sole source procurement. The regulation changes “will be published in the CNMI Registry for a public comment period before final adoption in an estimated 90 days,” MVA said.
Good news included a port visit by the destroyer, USS Shoup.
On Aug.19, the Shoup welcomed members of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s Armed Forces Committee, chamber staff and interns, and members of the community aboard the vessel.
The USS Shoup hosted community members during its visit on Aug. 19. Photo courtesy Saipan Chambers of Commerce
The chamber — in partnership with VFW Post 3457 — hosted a plaque exchange on Aug. 20 to show appreciation for the Shoup’s visit and to recognize the connection between the U.S. Navy and the people of Saipan.
The Shoup had previously visited the island and was in the region as part of the REFORPAC military exercise.
Lt. Gov. Dennis James “DJ” Mendiola, of the Northern Mariana Islands, has been charged alongside two other public officials in connection with the alleged misuse of government funds and vehicles in 2022.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced on Aug. 12 CHamoru Standard Time that the department will allow eligible veterans to submit and track mileage-only travel claims directly through the VA Health and Benefits mobile app.
