THE first inbound international flight to Saipan since [leisure] air travel was halted last year may arrive next month, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres said on Friday.
Discussions between the Marianas Visitors Authority and Jeju Air of South Korea are ongoing, he added. “We’re hoping to have a good date [for the flight] and we look forward to working with [Jeju] and all of the other airlines.”
The governor said in these endeavors, it is important to have the full support of the CNMI government, private partners and community members.
He said achieving herd immunity through Covid-19 vaccination is also crucial.
The CNMI will continue working with its current and potential tourism markets to determine the number of vaccinations that would assure herd immunity in the Commonwealth, he added.
“I know that countries, states or territories have their own way of opening up their borders. We want to reopen our borders, but the safety of our people and visitors remains our top priority,” Torres added.
The CNMI’s only industry, tourism, has been brought to a standstill since last year when the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in global travel restrictions.
