CPA Executive Director Efrain Camacho, during yesterday’s board meeting, reported that the 23 chartered flights brought in 2,829 visitors.
CPA has also been approached for a possible casino-related operation within the airport complex on Rota, he added.
“The party mentioned that they are in a very preliminary planning stage and are waiting to see how the immigration laws will be applied come June 2009 when it is expected that the border between Guam and the CNMI will no longer be in effect,” Camacho reported.
He also told the board that the federally funded project to add a paved shoulder and runway edge lighting is ongoing on Rota.
But Camacho said a new notice of proceed has to issued “to address the fact that construction was delayed pending the assignment of the construction management.”
“[The Federal Aviation Administration] is fully aware and in full support of the actions taken,” he added.
At the Rota West Harbor, the dredging in the immediate area along the dock bulkhead is pending as the contractor walked out of the project, Camacho said.
This, he added, “will be addressed and resolved within this year.”
Camacho said CPA has also “absorbed” a function from the mayor’s office regarding the disposal of dredged materials.
“The mayor’s office is supposed to do it but took no action. Thus, CPA is obligated,” he added.
To help improve Rota airport’s financial condition, Camacho said CPA needs to enter into a negotiation with the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. whose power plant is situated on CPA property, free of charge.
“This is one way for Rota’s operational costs to be offset to a degree,” he added.
