Kinki Nippon Tourist Co. facilitated the charter flights to Rota in the last few months.
KNT, PDI’s partner, initially planned to bring 10 charter flights to Rota. Each flight cost the travel agency $12,000.
During a meeting with the Rota lawmakers in March, the tour agency decided to increase the flights to 16. However, the amount KNT is asking for is for the 10 charter flights only.
In his letter to Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota, PDI director Gordon I. Marciano said PDI is willing to continue to increase charter flights to Rota.
He said they have a three-year tentative plan to bring nine charter flights a year to Rota.
But Marciano said Rota should “settle” the $120,000 that KNT spent for this year’s flights.
Manglona, in an interview, said the Rota delegation has requested Gov. Benigno R. Fitial to include the amount in the budget bill for fiscal year 2011, which is now in the Senate.
Manglona assured Marciano that within the next few days, the Senate will act on the FY 2011 budget which includes the requested amount.
“I hope that this news will give you renewed confidence and will encourage you and your firm to continue developing the partnership with the CNMI,” Manglona said in his letter to Marciano.
