Philippine Airlines will be allowed to resume its flight service to Saipan only if it complies with the Federal Aviation Administration’s standards, according to an official of the Commonwealth Ports Authority.
CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas said PAL’s current safety rating is Category 2, which means that the FAA has concerns about the airlines’ safety and aircraft maintenance program.
Salas said PAL, like Korean Airlines, must first satisfy the FAA safety standard before it can be allowed to service the route.
“It’s not a done deal yet. We still have to come back. There are still some details that need to be worked out,” he said.
“They are looking at the possibility of making the final decision within a couple of months at the most. But the target date, if this is all possible, is September,” he added.
Acting Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Vicky I. Benavente described the meeting with PAL officials as “very productive.”
Besides Salas and Benavente, the CNMI delegation also included CPA Aviation Committee Chairman Roman Tudela and Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente.
“We did have a very productive meeting with PAL President Avelino Zapanta and the other officials. They are still looking into the possibility of scheduling flights to the CNMI,” Mrs. Benavente said.
She said their discussions also tackled the authorization to board requirement for Filipino tourists. The Philippines is on the list of countries whose citizens are restricted to enter the U.S.
“We talked about a lot of things—marketing plans, strategies, ATBs. We talked about entry permits. Everything is still under discussion at this point,” Mrs. Benavente said.
But Salas said the FAA safety issue should not be a major obstacle for PAL.
“They are going through the process of getting their certification from the FAA. At the moment they are at Category 2. There are concerns about their aircraft maintenance program. The way they document their inspections, repairs and periodic maintenance of the aircraft,” Salas said.
“They need to do a systematic way of maintenance and in accordance with what the FAA requires. It’s just a matter of time that they do follow and comply with the standards of the FAA. We don’t see this as an obstacle. We see this as a stepping stone to get what is needed,” he added.
According to Salas, PAL is “very eager” to again serve the Marianas route.
However, PAL also have some reservations on whether it can fill its planes.
“They are preparing their financial projections and looking at the viability of flying to Saipan. We are going to follow things that are pending. We will try to wrap this up,” Salas said.
Should the resumption of PAL’s direct flights to the route push through, the carrier may use a Boeing 737-800 aircraft that can carry as many as 155 passengers.
Salas said CPA will grant the airline a 50 percent discount on passenger fees.
