Continental said the flight service has to be discontinued due to the increased cost of fuel and the downturn in the passenger traffic between the two destinations.
In a statement yesterday, the airline said it was closing its ticket and management office above its airport ticket counter.
Continental said it has offered “voluntary leave packages to eligible employees, including our Saipan-based employees.”
Saipan-based employees, with the exception of management, have the opportunity to transfer to Guam, the airline stated.
Many of the affected employees have asked to be transferred to Guam.
“The majority of our Saipan-based co-workers have taken the option of moving to Guam to continue their careers with Continental,” the statement said.
Although its Saipan office has been closed, Continental said its customers can still purchase tickets either through the 1-800 reservations number, online at www.continental.com, or through a Saipan travel agency.
Continental earlier assured passengers from Saipan that they will continue to pay the same non-stop airfare even if their flights will now pass through Guam.
The airline flies between Guam and Manila daily using a 364-seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
However, only U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents or nonresidents with U.S. visas can transit through Guam.
