AN online petition (https://bit.ly/3ISxxYi) is urging the Commonwealth Ports Authority, Marianas Southern Airlines and Star Marianas Air “to meet and agree on issues.”
As of Sunday, 867 had signed the online petition last week in light of the termination of the $8 million sole-source contract between the CNMI government and Marianas Pacific Express that operates MSA.
Signed by then-Gov. Ralph DLG Torres in August 2022, the contract aimed to subsidize MSA with American Rescue Plan Act funds so it could offer lower inter-island airfares.
According to Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, however, there are no more ARPA funds for the contract.
The online petition is requesting CPA, MSA and SMA meet and agree on “achieving harmony, reinstate the MSA support contract or at least talk about it and consider the consequences of increasing airport fees.”
The petition also urges CPA to “fight” to keep Asiana Airline flights; to “fight” to keep United Airlines airfare affordable; and bring more airlines to the CNMI.
“We [the] people rely on access to affordable, convenient, reliable, and safe air transportation between the islands (Guam, Rota, Saipan, Tinian). We need travel to keep in close contact with loved ones, medical treatment, to bring fresh produce, for work and even to bring our deceased brothers home with dignity,” the petition stated.
It added that CNMI residents also need more airline seats to help those who need to travel off island and those connecting to overseas flights. With MSA and SMA, they have “choice and value,” the petition stated.
But the people, the petition added, cannot afford to return to the time when SMA suspended its services.
“Our homeland is already becoming more isolated. We cannot afford for our homes to become desert islands,” the petition said.
