By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

TWO of the nine charter flights of Japan Airlines scheduled for next month are fully booked while the other seven are filling up quickly with a 95 percent average load factor, according to the Marianas Visitor Authority.
All nine charter flights in March will come from Kansai, Japan.
MVA said it is reaching out to the “active senior market” with a promotional package that consists of discounted rates at various hotels, golf courses and spa facilities on island.
MVA added that it will welcome the active senior travelers with a shell lei greeting and cultural entertainment as they arrive on the charter flights.
Four of the nine charter flights offer a 7-day package tour.
“The main reason for creating these promotional packages is to motivate long-stay packages for the CNMI,” MVA said. “ This is the first time the CNMI has actively promoted itself to this potential market.”
With 300,000 anticipated retirees in Japan this year, MVA said it recognizes the importance of marketing directly to the active senior market.
“I applaud the Japan committee and the active senior subcommittee for reaching out to this market,” said MVA Managing Director Perry Tenorio. “We look forward to welcoming these guests on our islands in March and we express our gratitude to our members who have taken the initiative to be part of this promotion,” he added.
JAL’s nine charter flights will bring an approximately 2,520 tourists to the CNMI.
The charter flights are scheduled for March 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25 and 30. All flights are expected to arrive on Saipan at 2:35 a.m. and will depart at 4:10 p.m.
Two other airlines will bring in charter flights every month to the CNMI.
Air China’s regular charter flight will start on Feb. 28 while Eva Airlines has scheduled its flight on April 7.
Both are Taiwanese airlines.