GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios said he was given last week an opportunity to discuss with Federal Aviation Administration officials some pressing issues regarding CNMI airports.
He was invited to the Aerodrome Certification Workshop hosted by the FAA from April 18 to 21 at Westin Resort on Guam.
He left Saipan on Wednesday, April 19, and was back the next day, Thursday, April 20.
Among the FAA officials who were on Guam for the workshop were FAA Western Pacific Region Airport Division Director Mark McClardy, FAA Airport District Office Manager Gordon Wong, FAA Technical Operations Manager Victoria Wei and FAA Foreign Affairs Specialist Paul Devoti.
Guam Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero delivered the welcoming remarks.
Also participating in the event were Commonwealth Ports Authority Board Chairwoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds and CPA Deputy Executive Director Ed Mendiola who discussed the situation of the airports on Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
It was the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic that FAA and regional ports authority officials had an opportunity to meet face to face.
Governor Palacios said the FAA officials invited him to sit down with them. He said he shared his thoughts on CNMI ports issues, and the need to fast-track ongoing infrastructure projects and repairs in all Commonwealth airports, particularly on Rota and Saipan.
These include the ongoing construction project at the Saipan commuter terminal, the need to improve the control tower, and the runway repair project that will “ensure that we don’t have any interruptions on our flights here.”
He said he had a “very robust” two-hour meeting with the FAA officials.
The governor said he also talked with United Airlines executives and expressed concern regarding airfare.
He said airline officials were very “empathetic,” and told him that they would bring his concern to United Airlines headquarters.
The governor said they also talked about a Narita-Saipan flight service as the CNMI moves forward in reinvigorating the Japan tourism market.
