THE Marianas Visitors Authority is calling on the government for urgent financial and policy support to help airlines sustain flight operations to Saipan. Without immediate action, MVA warns that further flight reductions are imminent.
“Air service is the lifeline of our tourism economy,” said MVA Chairman Warren Villagomez in a statement. He and Managing Director Jamika Taijeron recently met with current and potential airline partners to secure commitments for a stable flight schedule. “Our discussions made it clear — without swift financial support and targeted solutions, Saipan will continue losing flights and seats, threatening our economy, jobs, and future,” Villagomez said.
MVA emphasized that a consistent flight schedule is essential for tourism recovery and growth.
Flight reductions
Jeju Air, which operates twice-daily flights from Seoul to Saipan, will suspend its night flight from Sept. 8 to 30 due to low ticket sales and fares. The airline is also considering suspending flights from Oct. 12 to 25, though that decision has not yet been finalized.
T’way, which operates daily flights from Seoul, has scheduled air service suspensions for these periods: Aug. 18-Sept. 28, Oct. 14-Nov. 22, and March 15-31, 2026.
“These cancellations are, for the most part, the result of the oversupply of seats to Guam following the Korean Air and Asiana merger,” said Taijeron. “Because of mandates tied to the merger, airlines are required to maintain seat capacity in Guam based on their air seat supply in 2019. This has driven down ticket prices and shifted demand there. Saipan fares also dropped, but unlike Guam, our market cannot sustain operations with such low yields. Airlines are responding by reducing or suspending flights here. This is the unique challenge we face today.”
Challenges facing Saipan’s air service
MVA has outlined several pressure points undermining air service just as the region recovers post-pandemic.
Oversupply to Guam. Merger mandates have shifted passenger demand away from Saipan.
Currency exchange. A strong U.S. dollar makes non-U.S. destinations more attractive.
Airline strategy. Short-haul routes in Asia are more profitable than long-haul flights to Saipan.
Aircraft shortages. Global delivery delays, especially with Boeing, limit fleet availability.
Carrier exit. Asiana Airlines left the Saipan market in the summer of 2024.
“Every day we delay, the situation worsens,” Taijeron said. “The Marianas needs a substantial and immediate financial injection to stabilize flights. Without it, our recovery stalls, businesses struggle, and families suffer.”
MVA’s strategy
To address the crisis, MVA said it is taking steps in pursuit of these targets:
China market access. Requesting the U.S. Department of Transportation to reaffirm and operationalize Annex VI of the U.S.-China Air Transport Agreement.
Japan relations. Strengthening partnerships and launching programs to attract Japanese travelers.
China flights. Resuming Hong Kong Airlines service on Sept. 21.
U.S. support. Submitting a formal request for financial aid and exploring a temporary cabotage waiver to allow non-U.S. carriers to operate essential routes.
Visitor demand. Launching a sustainability initiative to develop new travel products and experiences aligned with global trends.
Global branding. Rolling out a rebranding campaign in October to showcase the Marianas’ culture, people, and uniqueness.
“This is a tough situation, but it gives us the chance to reset and reintroduce The Marianas to the world,” Villagomez said. “Government leaders must move quickly to provide financial and policy support to stabilize flights. At the same time, our businesses and community must do our part by building demand — enhancing the on-island experience, investing in content creation that raises awareness of The Marianas abroad, and supporting the global branding launch that will reintroduce our islands with a stronger identity.”
Taijeron added: “Tourism is our only industry. Protecting air service while growing visitor demand protects jobs, revenue, and the future of our islands until we can establish another viable industry that can share the economic burden. This is the time for all of us — government, business, and community — to work together to overcome this challenge. We cannot afford not to prioritize our only industry.”
Only Jeju Air night flights suspended
Jeju Air issued on Thursday the following statement:
“We would like to clarify recent media reports regarding the status of Jeju Air flights.
“Contrary to claims of a complete suspension, Jeju Air flights from Incheon International Airport (ICN) have not been completely suspended. There is a temporary reduction in late-night flight operations between September 10 and October 1, as part of a routine seasonal adjustment to optimize operations. Our website underwent scheduled maintenance to update flight schedules and facilitate the rebooking of affected passengers. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused and assure our customers that regular flight operations continue as planned outside of the adjusted timeframe. Jeju Air remains committed to providing safe, reliable, and convenient service for all our passengers. For the latest updates on flight schedules, please visit our official website or contact our customer service center.
“Thank you for your continued support.”
