DESCENDING from the sky early Friday morning was a United Airlines 737 aircraft carrying the first passengers from the first Tokyo-Narita/Saipan direct flight in 10 years.
Errol Lee, an assistant chief pilot who has been with the airline for about 16 years, was on the last direct flight a decade ago, and was among the very first to fly in on the recent direct flight from Narita International Airport in Tokyo, Japan.
Lee flew the leg from Guam to Narita.
“It’s actually very meaningful for us. Obviously, there’s a great partnership between Narita and Saipan, and obviously Guam and Saipan, so to be able to connect those bridges and bring people home to their loved ones, and even bring in commerce means a big deal to us, as well as to the island, I’m sure,” said Lee, a New York native who now calls Guam home.
“The skies were actually fantastic coming in. We had a little bit of weather. We had to move around kind of halfway through, but coming into Saipan, I guess it had welcomed us because there was no weather at all. It was perfect weather coming in,” Lee said.
Roughly 80 passengers arrived on the flight, including Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Secretary of Finance David DLG Atalig, Rep. Roy Ada, Marianas Visitors Authority Board Chair Viola Alepuyo, Board Members Warren F. Villagomez, Ivan Quichocho, and Agida T. Quitugu, and Executive Director Priscilla M. Iakopo; Triple J Saipan Inc. General Manager Jay Santos, and Brianna Hunter and Jason Palacios from the governor’s media team.
They were greeted by a large welcoming party that included first lady Diann T. Torres, Commonwealth Ports Authority Board Vice Chair Roman Tudela, United Airlines Managing Director of Airport Operations Sam Shinohara, United Airlines Saipan General Manager David Baker, Commonwealth Ports Authority Board Chair Kimberlyn King-Hinds, Department of Public Safety Commissioner Robert Guerrero, Department of Corrections Commissioner Wally Villagomez, and other members of the governor’s media team.
“Today’s very special for all of us,” the governor said. “We’ve always said that tourism is everyone’s business. Today is a great day for the CNMI because we have a partnership with United. This not only brings back our Japanese tourists’ direct flight, but also allows our locals to travel to the [U.S. mainland] and not [have] to stop by Guam. [They] just [fly] directly to Japan and then [make their] way to the U.S. [mainland].”
Asked how the flight went, the governor said that it was a lot faster than he had expected.
He extended his gratitude to United, MVA, and the Japanese community for “bringing this partnership back.
“We look forward [to] a very successful partnership again,” he added. “And to our business partners here in the CNMI, this is what [can revive] our economy: to bring in tourists.”
He is confident that the local business community is ready to handle an influx of tourists again.
“I’m certain. I’m actually very confident in our business partners here. They’ve been waiting for this…. We’re hoping to get additional tourists from other destinations, as well, like Australia and perhaps we can even bring back Philippine Airlines,” he added.
“That’s our goal, to bring in tourists from multiple destinations, and diversify our economy. The only way…for the CNMI’s economy to grow is to increase flights…from various different countries and diversify our economy….”
Ahead of the inaugural flight from Narita, Sam Shinohara, United Airlines Asia-Pacific managing director of airport operations, said, “Our team is thrilled to be here in Saipan to celebrate this historic and momentous occasion. We all know how tough the last few years have been, and this new direct service between Saipan and Tokyo is a sign of normalcy and good things to come for the tourism industry and the local economy. I commend Governor Torres and his team, as well as MVA, for having the vision to make this happen for the Marianas.”
Shinohara said “this new direct service between Tokyo/Narita and Saipan is great news for the CNMI and perfectly timed with the news of Japan’s eased overseas travel requirements. United has a dedicated sales team that sells tour products for this region, and they’re committed to continuing to work closely with MVA and our travel agency partners in Japan to further stimulate travel demand to the CNMI.”
He said the new direct service will provide better connectivity and more flight options for residents of the CNMI. Residents can connect through Tokyo/Narita to major cities in Asia and the United States.
“In most cases, travelers can avoid the overnight stop in Guam. The service also provides a great direct service for residents to vacation in Japan,” he added.
The inaugural flight from Saipan to Narita departed around 7 a.m. Friday.
United Airlines will fly three weekly flights, departing Tokyo-Narita International Airport at 9:25 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday and arriving on Saipan one day later at 2 a.m.
Flights from Saipan will depart at 7 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and arrive in Narita at 9:35 a.m.
The United Airlines team poses for a photo with Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, first lady Diann T. Torres, and Commonwealth Ports Authority board vice chair Roman T. Tudela.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and First Lady Diann T. Torres converse with United Airlines pilot Errol Lee.
The United Airlines 737 aircraft, carrying passengers from the first Tokyo-Narita/Saipan direct flight in 10 years, is directed to Gate 6 at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport early Friday morning.
The “Hafa Adai, Tirow Waami, and Welcome to Saipan” banner adorns the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport arrival terminal, welcoming visitors and returning residents.
Banners promoting Saipan, Tinian, and Rota are displayed at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport arrival terminal.
Rep. Roy Ada and Marianas Visitors Authority board chair Viola Alepuyo fill out customs forms at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport arrival terminal. Both Ada and Alepuyo were part of the CNMI delegation who traveled to and from Japan for the inaugural flight ceremonies.
United Airlines pilots and passengers fill out customs forms at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport.
The United Airlines 737 aircraft carrying passengers from the first Tokyo-Narita/Saipan direct route in 10 years arrives at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport early Friday morning.
