By Emmanuel T. Erediano
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Variety News Staff
GOVERNOR David M. Apatang and other CNMI officials on Monday welcomed the return of Philippine Airlines’ direct flights between Manila and Saipan, which will begin on March 29, 2026.
The Philippine flag carrier announced in December its plan to once again include Saipan in its list of U.S. destinations. Using an Airbus with a 180-passenger capacity, PAL will operate direct flights between Manila and Saipan twice weekly.
PAL regional head for Japan, Korea, and Oceania sales Bryan U. Sansolis and marketing officer Blaine Roxas paid the governor a courtesy visit on Capital Hill.
Joining the governor were Marianas Visitors Authority Chair Warren Villagomez; MVA board member Ivan Quichocho; MVA Managing Director Jamika Taijeron; Commonwealth Ports Authority Board Chair Bart Jackson; CPA Executive Director Esther Ada; Northern Marianas Sports Association President Jerry Tan; senior policy adviser Claudio Norita; and Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers Committee on Tourism, Infrastructure, and Sports Chair Alex Sablan.
“I welcome you to the Commonwealth and thank you very much for taking the time to come and visit us here,” the governor told Sansolis and Roxas. He noted that many CNMI residents travel to the Philippines and said that he, himself, goes there for medical checkups.
The governor said he looks forward to continuing to work with PAL representatives in the CNMI. He also expressed support for Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds’ efforts to include the Philippines in the CNMI-Guam visa-waiver program.
“I know she is working very hard on that, and we are looking forward to it,” the governor said, adding that he will travel to Washington, D.C., next week to continue discussions with federal officials.
Sansolis told the governor and other CNMI officials that it was a pleasure to return to Saipan and explained PAL’s decision to resume service. He said that a review of the airline’s route network revealed an opportunity to provide CNMI residents and other international travelers with convenient connections to PAL’s global network.
“We recognize that the linkage of Saipan to other parts of the world is limited right now,” Sansolis said, adding that PAL aims to bridge that gap by improving accessibility for medical referral patients and facilitating business and cultural exchanges. “When there is exchange, there is growth in business and the economy,” he said.
Roxas, for her part, said that beyond network connections, PAL also aims to share the Filipino hospitality for which the Philippines is known with its valued passengers, including CNMI residents. She said route expansion is not just about transportation, but also about extending PAL’s “signature heartfelt care” as the airline prepares to celebrate its 85th anniversary in March.
“There are many things to look forward to,” she said.
Villagomez described PAL’s return as an “opening of a new juncture” for the islands, saying it will enhance air service between the Philippines and the CNMI not only for medical referral patients but also for tourism, a key driver of the local economy.
Jackson said it is great to welcome back a legacy carrier and called it prestigious for CPA to add PAL to its list of airline partners, providing CNMI residents with greater access to destinations worldwide.
Ada said CPA is excited about PAL’s return, calling it a wonderful opportunity to fly directly to the Philippines and noting its appeal to couples considering the country as a wedding destination.
Taijeron also expressed excitement, noting that PAL’s return was weeks and months in the making as MVA worked closely with the airline.
“We are very excited to support these flights and make them successful. This is part of our strategy to welcome a full-service carrier, and we achieved that,” she said.
Taijeron added that PAL’s return aligns with MVA’s efforts to diversify the CNMI’s tourism market.
Tan likewise welcomed PAL back, saying the flights will serve multiple purposes, including medical travel and support for sports tourism. He said the service will provide convenient travel for participants in regional Pacific sporting events Saipan is expected to host in the future.
“We see a lot of opportunities that come with the additional flights,” Tan said.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
