Board approves Guam Visitors Bureau's airline incentive program

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

The Guam Visitors Bureau’s board of directors has approved the agency’s airline incentive program, a $10 million initiative aimed at retaining current air routes and attracting more flights to the island.

The fiscal 2026 budget bill, passed by the 38^th Guam Legislature last week, included the proposed appropriation for GVB’s airline incentive program, which would cover $5.4 million for Korean airlines and $5.7 million for low-cost carriers from Japan.

GVB had requested $11.1 million for the incentive program, but received $1.1 million less in the budget act.  The budget act is awaiting Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero’s signature.

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The airline incentive program is a three-prong strategy, which includes co-op marketing, load factor incentives and turnaround support.

Régine Biscoe Le, GVB president, described the program as “a direct investment in Guam’s working families,” arguing that every additional flight to Guam generates revenue that flows into the community through hotel stays, restaurant dining, shopping and tours.

She said increased visitor spending helps sustain jobs, strengthen small businesses and provide greater economic stability for the thousands of island residents whose livelihoods depend on tourism.

GBV noted that airline incentives are a commonly used tool for tourism recovery and long-term route development in many destinations, including Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Los Angeles and New York.

“Guam seeks to employ this tool to compete with other destinations for limited aircraft over the next 18 months,” GVB said.

In a position paper released earlier, GVB stated that Guam is rebuilding air seats lost during the COVID-19 pandemic and after Typhoon Mawar, and expanding air routes to prevent the tourism economy from collapsing.

“⁠Without continued incentives in FY2026, airlines have no obligation to stay or add new routes to Guam," GVB said.

While airlines in key markets such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines have shown strong interest, they require continued support to maintain frequency to Guam, the bureau said.

GVB also noted that a global aircraft shortage is currently limiting airlines and making it competitive for destinations to attract or retain flights.

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