THE U.S. Department of Transportation, the CNMI government, and the office of U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds are working together to address transportation issues that have been adversely affecting the islands’ primary economic driver — tourism.
USDOT Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs Jared Smith traveled from Washington, D.C., to join King-Hinds in discussions with Gov. David M. Apatang, Lt. Gov. Dennis James Mendiola, officials from the Commonwealth Ports Authority and the Marianas Visitors Authority, as well as representatives from United Airlines, about the challenges the Commonwealth currently faces regarding air transportation.
Even before she was elected to represent the CNMI in the U.S. House of Representatives, King-Hinds had been urging USDOT to reinstate Annex VI of the bilateral Air Transport Agreement between the U.S. and China, aiming to lift restrictions on scheduled air service between the CNMI and China.
Two weeks ago, she met with USDOT Secretary Sean Duffy and raised concerns about the CNMI’s worsening economic condition. She emphasized that the Commonwealth’s economy currently relies heavily on tourism and asked, “How do we work together?”
Smith then reached out to her and suggested forming a working group. King-Hinds responded, “I would love that, so that we can talk about these issues and figure out what is within USDOT’s authority to address the issue immediately.”
In the governor’s conference room on Monday, Smith said some issues brought to USDOT’s attention were new to them, but they might be able to provide immediate assistance by addressing challenges air carriers are facing, possibly by amending regulations related to air services here or creating agreements through which his office might assist.
“That’s immediately what I could say,” Smith said.
Regarding the working group, he disclosed that USDOT has already been in touch with King-Hinds.
“I think convening a federal inter-agency coalition together with folks here — from CPA, MVA, United Airlines, and others interested in participating — will lead to frank and productive discussions and hopefully positive outcomes,” Smith said, reiterating King-Hinds’ instrumental role in helping USDOT convene the working group, which “will be set up shortly.”
Smith added that there are actions USDOT can take in the short term without requiring legislation to help the CNMI address transportation issues.
Governor Apatang thanked Smith for coming to the CNMI. “Now you can see the true picture of what’s happening here in the Commonwealth,” he said.
The CNMI government has been trying to manage the situation, “especially our tourism industry,” the governor said. He also thanked King-Hinds for her instrumental role in bringing help to the Commonwealth.
“I know you’ve been meeting with the private sector this afternoon, and you will hear the same concerns from our business community. So we appreciate you and Smith for joining us this morning and look forward to your and DOT’s help,” the governor added.
Lt. Gov. Mendiola told Smith, “Your presence here shows your commitment, the commitment of the Trump administration, USDOT, and the congresswoman, that you are all interested in fixing these problems.”
“We can’t thank you enough for coming here. The governor and I really appreciate you taking the long travel from the U.S. to here,” Mendiola added.
In response, Smith thanked the governor and lieutenant governor for their warm welcome. He said the trip was arranged on relatively short notice but added, “Your ability to convene an amazing group of relevant stakeholders on short notice to have this discussion today is very much appreciated, and it’s valuable to us.”
U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs Jared Smith, center, Gov. David M. Apatang, second right, Lt. Gov. Dennis James Mendiola, right, U.S. Congresswomen Kimberlyn King-Hinds, second left, and USDOT Aviation and International Affairs Negotiations Division negotiator Tricia Kurbin, left, pose for photo on Monday in the governor’s conference room.
U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs Jared Smith, center, Gov. David M. Apatang, Lt. Gov. Dennis James Mendiola, and U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds pose for a photo with CNMI lawmakers and other officials at the administration building on Capitol Hill after an initial discussion on transportation issues facing the CNMI.
Office of the Governor photo
