WASHINGTON, D.C. (Office of the CNMI Congressional Delegate) — U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds of the CNMI has joined U.S. Congressman James Moylan of Guam in urging U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy to support H.R. 1536, the Pacific Flight Alternatives Act, which would allow air cabotage for Philippine, South Korean, and Japanese air carriers in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. The lawmakers also requested a formal meeting with Secretary Duffy to discuss the urgent transportation challenges facing the region and the need for long-term policy solutions to improve travel access and affordability.
“Travel for the people of the Northern Marianas and Guam has been limited by policies that do not reflect the realities of our geographic isolation,” said Congresswoman King-Hinds. “Our residents, businesses, and even our military community suffer under restrictive airfare policies that drive up costs, limit options, and make travel incredibly difficult. It’s time for a serious conversation about how we can increase airline competition and reduce financial burdens on our residents.”
Currently, air cabotage laws prohibit foreign airlines from transporting passengers between U.S. destinations, even if those airlines operate international routes that serve the CNMI and Guam. With Hawaii being the nearest U.S. airport — 4,000 miles away —residents of the Northern Marianas and Guam face some of the highest airfare costs in the country, with basic economy tickets exceeding $3,000 for round-trip flights to the continental U.S.
“Federal aviation policies have forced residents of the CNMI and Guam into monopolistic airfare pricing, and we are left with few travel options that don’t break the bank,” said Congresswoman King-Hinds. “H.R. 1536 would introduce much-needed airline competition by allowing specified carriers from Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines to operate flights between our islands and another U.S. point. This is a common-sense solution that would expand travel options, lower costs, and improve connectivity between the territories and the mainland U.S.”
The existing transportation framework also imposes challenges beyond passenger travel. Many military and government personnel assigned to Guam and the CNMI are allowed to travel with pets, while civilian residents are restricted from doing so under current airline policies. This forces families to pay thousands of dollars for specialized pet transport flights.
“We are not only fighting for cheaper flights — we are fighting for fairness,” said Congresswoman King-Hinds. “If military and State Department personnel can bring their pets with them when relocating to our islands, why should local families have to pay thousands just to do the same? This is another example of why our air travel policies must be updated.”
Congresswoman King-Hinds and Congressman Moylan are urging Secretary Duffy to support H.R. 1536 and explore administrative options to provide relief to travelers in the Northern Marianas and Guam. If legislative efforts are delayed, they are requesting that the Department of Transportation exercise its authority under 49 U.S.C. § 41703 to waive restrictions for select foreign carriers in the interest of improving travel access.
“The people of the CNMI and Guam deserve better and I thank my friend and colleague Congressman Moylan for his advocacy on this issue for the region,” said Congresswoman King-Hinds. “This is about fairness, economic opportunity, and ensuring our residents have the same level of access to affordable and reliable air travel as any other American.”