AS I read the article by Mr. Joe Murphy in the PDN earlier this week, I could not but help but be astonished. It seems Murphy has sufficient foresight to augur the need for the renovation and expansion of Guam’s airport infrastructure so as to keep pace with global aviation trends, but lacks similar capacity to recognize that Guam’s airport and infrastructure are paralyzed until federal restrictions on foreign carriers are eased.
Open Skies is not just a droll catchphrase; it is essential to growth and the healthy expansion of Guam’s airport and aviation industry. Murphy has omitted a vital part of the airport improvement blueprint. Whether this conspicuous omission was intentional or simply an oversight on his part, his article lacks thoroughness by its absence.
Throughout the world, and particularly among member-nations of the EU in Europe, national governments are issuing rights to foreign carriers to fly point-to-point routes within their borders. Fiscally and in the spirit of global unity, such a decision makes sense. Nations are opening their skies to foreign carriers to enable aviation to not only grow but also to be a part of that growth and to prosper by it.
Guam is being left behind and quickly. We have no Open Skies passenger accord; instead we have been granted a severely compromised Open Skies accord for cargo only. If we, the people of Guam, are earnest in our commitment to keeping our airport up with the times, then we had better make a concerted effort along with Senator Jesse Lujan to gain Open Skies.
We can make every imaginable renovation and upgrade to our airport, but without Open Skies, our airport and in turn our island will never realize their potential.

NESTOR GOGUE
Agat, Guam