Commonwealth Ports Authority Board Chairman Joe Ayuyu, center, and Marianas Visitors Authority Board Member Ivan, Quichocho, second right, lead the Marianas delegation at Routes Asia Show 2024 on Feb. 19-24, 2024, in Langkawi, Malaysia. Fifteen airlines held B2B meetings with the delegation to explore the feasibility of establishing new air services to the Marianas.
(MVA) — The Marianas Visitors Authority and the Commonwealth Ports Authority recently met with 15 airlines at aviation route development forum 2024 Routes Asia Show to discuss the potential of new air service to the Marianas.
Organized annually by Routes, a company that specializes in air service development, Routes Asia provides a platform for industry professionals to meet, network, and establish new routes. Attended by airlines, airports, tourism authorities, and other aviation-related organizations, this year’s forum was held last month in Langkawi, Malaysia. Among the hundreds of attendees, many of whom stopped by the Marianas’ information booth, the Marianas delegation was allotted time for in-depth B2B sessions with Starlux Airlines, Beijing Capital Airlines, Japan Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Hong Kong Express, Jetstar Group, China Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas Airways Limited, Juneyao Air, Scoot, Virgin Australia Airlines, and AirAsia Group.
“Our primary objective at Routes Asia was to engage with airline officials in the Asia- Pacific region to explore opportunities for new air services, with the overall goal to increase airlift to the Marianas. Basically, to let them know who we are and what we have to offer as a destination and airport,” said MVA Managing Director Christopher A. Concepcion. “We were able to share information at our booth to many forum attendees, and most importantly, drill down into specifics with 15 carriers about the many, many variables that must be considered to determine the feasibility of a new route to our destination.”
In addition to consumer demand and the bottom line of profitability, Concepcion noted that other variables airlines must consider are whether the Marianas lies within their route system, various national and international certifications, availability of aircraft equipment and crew, and airport facilities and costs. He said discussions continue with interested airlines, and any formal announcement of new routes would come from the airlines.
“What is crystal clear to both MVA and CPA is that we operate in an extremely competitive environment, with neighboring islands and countries competing with us for the same airlines to fly to our destinations,” he said. “Participating in these types of B2B events ensures that we are top of mind for airlines that are looking for new routes or destinations. They also allow us to stay abreast of industry trends, so we don’t fall behind our competitors.”
The forum was attended by CPA Board Chairman Joe Ayuyu, MVA Board Member Ivan Quichocho, Concepcion, CPA Managing Director Leo Tudela, and MVA Marketing Manager Thomas Kim.