Commonwealth Ports Authority Executive Director Edward M. Deleon Guerrero confirmed yesterday that the Japanese carrier had expressed its intent to do charter flights to Saipan.
“Japan Airlines is inquiring to do charter flights to Saipan. We have told them that we don’t have a problem with the schedule. It doesn’t conflict with the construction [at the airport] schedule on Saipan,” he said.
Deleon Guerrero said the Japanese carrier may do a once-a-day charter flight for two to three times a week.
He also said that they are hoping to commence the charter flights in December.
Aside from Japan flights, the ports authority also confirmed proposals from Shanghai Airlines and China Airlines proposing charter flights.
He said Sichuan Airlines is looking at increasing their flights to Saipan.
Online sources revealed that Sichuan Airlines is increasing its Chengdu-Shanghai-Pu Dong- Saipan service from two to four weekly.
It was also stated online that the overall service to Saipan will rise to six weekly as existing Chengdu-Guangzhou-Saipan service continues to operate twice a week.
The Chengdu-based Sichuan Airlines Co. Ltd. launched direct flights to Saipan last April and opened Chengdu-Guangzhou-Saipan service in May.
Air China Limited will also be resuming twice-a-week direct flights from Beijing and Saipan in December, bringing in a Boeing 777 with 332 seats.
According to the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino, there are six flights weekly coming from China to Saipan.
These will bring additional 25,000 visitors per year for an annual total of more than 75,000 tourists from China.
