By Bernadette H. Carreon
Horizon news staff

The Federal Aviation Administration is looking at certifying the Peleliu and Angaur airports.
Vice President and Justice Minister Elias Camsek Chin said that the FAA officials are considering conducting a feasibility study of the Peleliu airport.
FAA officials were recently in Palau to attend the regional aviation directors' conference hosted by Palau.
Chin said the Peleliu and Angaur have recently undergone upgrading. He said getting the two airports FAA certified is critical to Palau’s economy.
He said with the military base in Okinawa transferring to Guam, the Peleliu and Angaur airports could be used as landing sites for aircrafts.
He said with Guam’s proximity to Palau, it is expected that military personnel would visit Palau for rest and relaxation.
Chin said he was told by FAA officials that a budget is being sought to start the feasibility study.
He added that both airports could also benefit from FAA financial assistance.
With this Chin said the recently concluded conference discussed the roles of airport management and boards of directors, establishing personnel standards, and responsibilities, planning ahead, airport master plan - implementing airport projects effectively, and milestones and accomplishments. Other topics include advantages and disadvantages of having a port authority, challenges ports might address, effective interaction with elected officials, and airport projects.
The conference is headed by FAA officials including Western Pacific Regional Administrator Bill Withycombe and ports officials from the region: including Marshall Islands, FSM, Palau, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, Guam, American Samoa, Hawaii, and the CNMI.