By Gemma Q. Casas
Variety News Staff

TINIAN’S lawmakers say they will continue to push for the installation of the instrument landing system, or ILS, despite the Commonwealth Ports Authority’s position that it’s not needed by international commercial flights serving the Tinian route.
Senate President Joseph M. Mendiola, Covenant-Tinian, told CPA Chairman Rex Palacios in a letter that they will “continue to seek alternative funding by either reprogramming capital improvement funds or using other sources to install ILS at the Tinian International Airport.
Mendiola added, “Regardless of the position of the Commonwealth Ports Authority or any other CNMI government agency, so long as Tinian investors, including Tinian Dynasty, Marianas Resort Development Corp. or Bridge Investment Group, continue to emphasize that the ILS is critical to beginning the direct international charter flights to Tinian, we will work with them to make the ILS a reality.”
He said the ILS is critical to Tinian investors’ goal of stimulating the island’s economy.
“We have to be mindful that these investors are the end-users of the ILS and to second-guess them about what they need with regard to their insurance and/or investment requirements would be preposterous,” said Mendiola. “Again, we cannot overemphasize the need for an ILS and to complete the Tinian International Airport in order to accommodate direct international flights.”
The Fitial administration advised CPA to put the installation of ILS at Tinian airport on hold after learning that the Federal Aviation Administration does not support the idea.
The Tinian municipality has already agreed to pay for the $3.5 million ILS by reprogramming federal capital improvement project funds.
But CPA and the FAA say Tinian’s airport can safety accommodate landing aircraft even without an ILS.