THE number of passengers that visited and left the CNMI during the first six months of the fiscal year dropped by 24 percent, according to Commonwealth Ports Authority Executive Director Carlos H. Salas.
There were 225,846 passengers who arrived and left the CNMI from Oct. 2001 to Feb. 2002, statistics showed.
During the same period last year, 295,470 passengers visited and left the islands.
Salas attributed the decrease to the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Data showed that almost half of passengers bound to Saipan postponed travel plans to the area last October.
The enplanement rate recovered slightly in January, but a month later, the figure dropped anew.
The low arrivals rate of passengers continues to be a major concern for CPA because of its impact on its aviation revenues.
However, Korean Airlines’ resumption of direct flight service and the entry of China Southern Airlines to charter flights for Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino may lead to a higher arrivals rate.
