(MVA) — Direct flights between China and the Marianas have resumed for the first time since before the pandemic with the arrival on Monday, April 29, of Hong Kong Airlines at Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport.
An inaugural flight ceremony was held at Hong Kong International Airport before the flight’s departure to Saipan on Sunday, April 28. Hong Kong Airlines is now operating flights twice a week from Hong Kong using Airbus A330 aircraft with 292 seats.
Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang and officials of the Commonwealth Ports Authority and Marianas Visitors Authority were on hand in Saipan to greet the inaugural flight, which was hailed with a water cannon salute upon arrival. As indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian dances were performed, a brief welcome ceremony was held with Hong Kong Airlines Chairman Jianfeng “Jeff” Sun, who had personally piloted the flight to Saipan.
“I can tell you, there is a real feeling of anticipation and optimism in the government and especially the private sector with the launch of these flights,” MVA Managing Director Christopher A. Concepcion said at the ceremony. “I would like to extend a tremendous si Yu’us ma’ase, olomwaay, and thank you to Chairman Sun and Hong Kong Airlines for their confidence in our destination and for making these flights a reality. We are excited about the positive bookings they are seeing, and we believe this bodes well for the future of these flights and the greater expansion of connectivity with China and the many other countries in the Hong Kong Airlines network.”
Prior to the pandemic, visitor arrivals from China comprised over 40% of all visitor arrivals to the Marianas with multiple direct flights a week from five cities. So far this fiscal year, Chinese tourists have comprised about 5% of all visitor arrivals. During the ceremony, Sun alluded to the possibility of increasing flights based on initial strong consumer demand.
Hong Kong Airlines Chairman Jianfeng “Jeff” Sun, center, Marianas Visitors Authority Chairwoman Gloria Cavanagh, sixth right, MVA Deputy Managing Director Judy C. Torres, fourth right, and other dignitaries and flight crew hold a press conference at Hong Kong International Airport on April 28, 2024, prior to Hong Kong Airlines flight to Saipan. It was the first flight to the Marianas from Hong Kong and China since before the pandemic.
Hong Kong Airlines is greeted with a water cannon salute upon arrival at Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport in Saipan on April 29, 2024.
Hong Kong Airlines Chairman Jianfeng “Jeff” Sun is greeted by Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang and other dignitaries at Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport in Saipan on April 29, 2024. Sun piloted the first flight to the Marianas from Hong Kong and China since 2019/2020, marking what local officials hope will be the start of a steady rebound of the China market. Front row from left, Commonwealth Ports Authority Executive Director Leo Tudela, Apatang, Sun, Marianas Visitors Authority Deputy Managing Director Judy C. Torres — who attended the inaugural flight ceremony prior to departure in Hong Kong — and MVA Managing Director Christopher A. Concepcion.
Passengers of Hong Kong Airlines are welcomed with shell leis upon their arrival at Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport in Saipan, The Marianas on April 29, 2024.
Dancers of Petlas Marianas Micronesia and Simiyan Marianas welcome passengers of Hong Kong Airlines upon arrival their at Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport in Saipan on April 29, 2024.
Hong Kong Airlines Chairman and flight pilot Jianfeng “Jeff” Sun speaks at a brief ceremony to mark the arrival of Hong Kong Airlines at Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport in Saipan on April 29, 2024. From left, Commonwealth Ports Authority Executive Director Leo Tudela, Sun, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, Marianas Visitors Authority Board Chairwoman Gloria Cavanagh, and MVA Managing Director Christopher A. Concepcion.
