THE Federal Aviation Administration has not issued a permit that would allow the Philippine flag carrier to service the Saipan route, acting Gov. Diego T. Benavente said Friday.
But Benavente said the administration remains “hopeful” that Philippine Airlines will resume its Manila-Saipan flights in the “very near future.”
Benavente said PAL “already appears to be moving in that direction,” adding that an agreement had been reached last week between the Commonwealth Ports Authority and PAL.
Under this agreement, PAL will stop on Saipan during its twice a week flight to Honolulu for refueling and ground handling purposes.
However, the permitting processes are still being worked out, Benavente said.
“We are trying to finalize the agreements. Presently, PAL intends to use the Saipan airport as a refueling stop for its Manila-Honolulu flights,” he said.
Benavente, who was at last Saturday’s resumption of PAL’s Manila-Guam flight service, told PAL Chairman Lucio Tan and President Avelino Zapanta that the CNMI is willing to make PAL’s Saipan flight service a reality.
“These flights will benefit the economic climate of the entire region—the Philippines, Guam, the CNMI, and the rest of Micronesia,” Benavente said in his remarks at Expo Hall Micronesia Mall on Guam.
Benavente also commended PAL for its “vision and courage” in expanding travel options to the Micronesian region.
He urged PAL officials “to explore” the Saipan flight service because the “demand is there.”
