By Ulysses Torres Sabuco
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
THE return of scheduled commercial air service to Saipan has become one of the clearest signs yet that the Commonwealth’s transportation network is gradually recovering, with United Airlines restarting daily Guam-Saipan flights just a week after Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
In Port Update No. 14 issued Wednesday evening, the Commonwealth Ports Authority said United resumed daily Guam-Saipan flights on April 23, with arrivals scheduled at 8:50 a.m. and departures at 9:55 a.m.
CPA added that other airline partners have yet to confirm when they will resume service.
At Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport, runway assessments have been completed and both runways have been declared ready to receive flights. However, damage to navigational aids continues to limit operations to daytime flights only.
The airport remains without commercial power and is operating on generator power, with limited running water.
CPA also reported progress in passenger boarding areas. All six loading bridges, or jetways, sustained damage during the storm, but Jetway No. 2 is now operational. Jetway No. 6 is currently under repair. Two stair-carts will serve as backups, allowing up to three simultaneous boarding or deplaning positions.
Interisland and cargo connectivity has also resumed. Star Marianas Air and Micronesian Air Cargo/Connection Services are fully operational for daylight flights only, CPA said.
On Rota, Benjamin Taisacan Manglona International Airport is open to receive flights, while Francisco Manglona Borja/Tinian International Airport remains limited to humanitarian flights and daytime operations.
At the seaports, CPA said facilities on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota are under Port Heavy Weather Condition Whiskey, allowing commercial traffic and transfer operations to continue but limited to daylight hours. Mariners were advised to use caution when entering or departing local waterways.
CPA said additional updates will be issued as conditions change.
