ASIANA Airlines, which has been providing charter flights from Incheon, South Korea to Saipan, is closing its office on island.
The airlines’ regional manager, Intak Hwang, said in a letter that after three decades of service in the CNMI, “our last operation will be on June 30, 2024. Following this date, we will no longer be serving the Incheon-Saipan route.”
Hwang said Asiana Airlines “has been the front runner in providing quality air travel to Saipan residents and promoting Korean tourism in the CNMI since May 1992.”
“We are proud of all that we have accomplished together with our island partners and would like to thank you all for your loyalty and support in the last 32 years. Please be assured that we will maintain and deliver the high standard of professionalism and service that has set Asiana Airlines apart from competitors until our final flight from Saipan,” he said.
Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Chris Concepcion said, “The cost of doing business in the CNMI has increased significantly, so that is an important factor in their decision to suspend flights.”
“Asiana had previously announced a suspension of flights to take effect in March 2024, but they extended that to June. We understand that a majority of customers coming in on Asiana were connecting from mainland China, with a smaller number coming from Korea,” Concepcion said.
Asiana Airlines is undergoing some financial challenges, according to Concepcion. He added, “We expect them to eventually be purchased outright by Korean Air later this year once all government approvals are received.”
When that happens, he said, Asiana Airlines as an entity will cease to exist. “We are in talks with Korean Air now about taking up the Seoul-Saipan route and hopefully we’ll have some good news in the coming months. We extend our gratitude to Asiana Airlines for their 32 years of service to the Marianas and look forward to working with Jeju Air, Tway and others to fill the demand for seats from Korea and other countries.”
Commonwealth Ports Authority Board Vice Chair Antonio Cabrera said, “There must be something that made them leave.” He couldn’t tell what it was, but he said the board will discuss the matter, among other things, in its monthly meeting at 10 a.m. today, Friday.
For his part, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Ralph N. Yumul said over the last couple of years, Asiana Airlines has been providing charter flights only.
He said the closure of Asiana Airlines’ local office will “somewhat affect” the tourism market, but the “overall impact” on tourism revenue “will not be as big” compared, for example, to the suspension of regular flights such as those provided by Jeju Airlines.
House Ways and Means Committee Chair Ralph N. Yumul speaks during a budget hearing for the Department of Corrections on Thursday in the House chamber.
