THE Rota Legislative Delegation will meet via Zoom with Star Marianas Air Inc. owner Shaun Christian at 1 p.m. today, Thursday, Dec. 2, to find a solution to a “critical transportation issue” that prompted the airline company to suspend flights until further notice.
Star Marianas stated that “due to the risks presented by an unhealthy flight environment,” it was “immediately suspending all commercial operations until further notice.”
Star Marianas said it is working with customers who have existing booking for refunds and cancellations.
Sen. Paul A. Manglona on Wednesday said he and the other Rota lawmakers have reached out to Christian.
“We are very concerned with the tragic news that Star Marianas Air Inc. will be immediately suspending all its commercial operations. Of course, this suspension will negatively impact the people of Rota the most. I understand the concerns of Covid-19 exposure in our islands, but that is the reason for the American Rescue Plan Act funds and other federal grants. These funds are for the implementation of Covid protocols and monitoring,” the senator said.
He added that “since Day One,” he has been advocating for a quarantine facility on Rota in addition to more community testing.
Manglona said he strongly supports requiring passengers to get vaccinated or obtain a negative test result prior to boarding an aircraft to Rota or Tinian if that is what the Covid-19 Task Force would require.
“But please, Star Marianas should not cease its inter-island flights,” he added.
To completely cut off Rota, Manglona said, “will cause extreme hardship, especially for those who are in need of medical treatment off island.”
He added, “I am in communication with the owners and management of Star Marianas Air to find a solution to this critical transportation issue. We have scheduled a videoconference.”
Manglona said he hopes the Commonwealth Ports Authority, the Covid-19 Task Force, the Marianas Visitors Authority and Star Marianas can collaborate and address the issues currently on the table, “most especially, the unhealthy flight environment concern.”
He reiterated that Star Marianas is “the CNMI people’s only link between Saipan, Rota and Tinian.”
“It is bad enough that the Guam-Rota flight segment has been suspended for over a year already,” he added. “That’s a financial burden and inconvenience for U.S. mainland and Guam travelers who want to visit Rota,” Manglona said.
