Northern Marianas tourism revival gathers pace as HK Airlines returns

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is stepping up efforts to rebuild its tourism industry after back-to-back super typhoons, welcoming the return of Hong Kong Airlines while lobbying Philippine carriers to restore and expand direct air links.

The resumption of Hong Kong Airlines from 13 July marks the second international carrier to return to Saipan following Super Typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi, a milestone tourism officials say signals growing confidence in the destination despite the damage left by the storms.

Marianas Visitors Authority marketing manager Andy Qin said 174 passengers arrived on the inaugural returning flight from Hong Kong, while 38 passengers departed on the outbound service.

"This is the second international flight coming back to the island after the typhoon. This is the second typhoon probably, unfortunately."

Qin said government agencies and tourism businesses worked together to restore services quickly enough for the airline to resume flights on schedule despite the islands' ongoing recovery.

"All the tourist partners, and even [the Commonwealth Ports Authority and the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation] ... they also worked very hard to make the recovery as soon as possible. So the flight didn't have a delay."

Although Managaha Island, one of the CNMI's premier tourist attractions, remains closed while awaiting clearance from the Department of Public Lands, Qin said tour operators have developed alternative activities for visitors.

"They tried to make more activities for the tourists... They will try their best to entertain our tourists."

Hong Kong Airlines has resumed its pre-typhoon schedule of two weekly flights, with the possibility of increasing to three flights a week if passenger demand remains strong. Jeju Air is currently operating four weekly South Korea-Saipan services, while Philippine Airlines is expected to resume Manila-Saipan flights in October.

At the same time, the Commonwealth Ports Authority is pushing to further strengthen the islands' international connectivity by urging Philippine Airlines to resume service before October and courting Cebu Pacific to launch direct Manila-Saipan flights.

CPA board chair Bart Jackson said officials raised both proposals during recent meetings with Philippine aviation stakeholders.

"We are working with Philippine Airlines and working with Cebu Pacific possibly to see if we can help our Filipino comrades get back to the Philippines a bit easier than flying through Seoul or through Narita."

Jackson said the request for an earlier Philippine Airlines return is driven by the expected travel needs of hundreds of Commonwealth-Only Worker visa holders, most of them Filipinos, who will need to travel home during August and September as part of the renewal process.

"We tried to push them just a little bit and see if we could get them to come a bit earlier."

He said the CPA also used the meetings to highlight the growing importance of the Philippine market to the CNMI economy and to encourage Cebu Pacific to consider launching service.

While acknowledging that successive typhoons have caused some airlines to reassess expansion plans, Jackson said interest in serving Saipan remains strong following discussions with prospective carriers at the Routes Asia aviation conference.

"I think that there are airlines that are still very interested, but these are not quick decisions."