CNMI struggles to keep air service afloat amid flight cuts and competition with Guam
- Admin
- Aug 21
- 4 min read
By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Saipan – The Northern Mariana Islands is facing flight service uncertainties due to a web of factors, just as the destination was starting to recover from the post-pandemic doldrums.
The oversupply of seats for Guam is among the triggers that adversely affect flight demand to Saipan, according to the Marianas Visitors Authority.
Earlier this month, MVA officials met with current and potential airline partners in Korea in a bid to avert any further plunge of air service amid the looming flight cuts.
“Air service is the single most critical factor for our tourism economy,” said Warren Villagomez, chairman of the MVA board. “Our meetings confirmed that unless we act quickly with financial support and targeted solutions, Saipan will continue to lose flights and seats. This will directly affect our economy, jobs and the future of our islands.”
MVA officials met with five airlines in Seoul to seek commitments for a consistent flight schedule.
The tourism office warns that without immediate intervention, additional cuts to flights are expected in the coming months.
Jeju Air, which operates twice-daily flights from Seoul to Saipan, will suspend its night flight from Sept. 8 to 30 due to low ticket sales and fares.
The airline is also considering suspending flights from Oct. 12 to 25, though that decision has not yet been finalized.
T’way, which operates daily flights from Seoul, has suspended its service for several periods in the coming months: Aug. 18 to Sept. 28, Oct. 14 to Nov. 22, and March 15 to 31, 2026.
“These cancellations are, for the most part, the result of the oversupply of seats to Guam following the Korean Air and Asiana merger,” said Jamika R. Taijeron, MVA managing director.
She explained that because of mandates tied to the merger, airlines are required to maintain seat capacity in Guam based on their air seat supply in 2019.
The boosted seat capacity has driven down ticket prices, shifting demand to Guam and away from Saipan.
“Saipan fares also dropped, but unlike Guam, our market cannot sustain operations with such low yields,” Taijeron said. “Airlines are responding by reducing or suspending flights here. This is the unique challenge we face today.”
The Marianas’ air service has been critically impacted by multiple pressures, just as the destination was starting to pick up from the prolonged post-pandemic slump.
Besides the seat oversupply to Guam, other factors that offset the CNMI’s recovery include:
• Currency exchange: The strong U.S. dollar against the Japanese Yen and Korean Won makes other non-U.S. destinations more affordable and appealing.
• Airline priorities: Airlines achieve higher profits operating multiple short-haul routes within Asia rather than a long-haul to Saipan.
• Industry shortages: Global aircraft delivery delays, particularly with Boeing, are limiting availability across all carriers.
• Carrier exits: Asiana Airlines exited the Saipan market in Summer 2024 during its merger with Korean Air.
Seat capacity has plunged from approximately 760,000 in FY 2018 to just 260,000 projected for FY 2025—a 66 percent overall loss, including 59 percent from Korea and a 100 percent loss from mainland China, once our second-largest source market.
“Every day we delay, the situation worsens,” Taijeron said. “The Marianas needs a substantial and immediate financial injection to stabilize flights. Without it, our recovery stalls, businesses struggle, and families suffer.”
MVA is requesting the U.S. Department of Transportation to reaffirm and operationalize Annex VI of the U.S.–China Air Transport Agreement so it functions as originally intended.
MVA also reinforces partnerships with influential stakeholders and developing programs to attract Japanese travelers.
The tourism office is also taking other steps, such as:
• Supporting China market resumption: resuming flights from Hong Kong Airlines on Sept. 21.
• Seeking U.S. assistance: Following meetings with the U.S. Department of Transportation, MVA will submit a formal request for financial resources to improve air access to our destination, and explore a temporary, restricted cabotage waiver to allow non-U.S. carriers to provide essential service.
• Building visitor demand: Launching a new sustainability initiative this month to support the development of new products, services, and experiences that align with global travel trends. MVA is also emphasizing the importance of content creation to generate more awareness of The Marianas in overseas markets, helping to stimulate interest and strengthen demand for travel to the islands.
• Reintroducing The Marianas to the world: MVA is advancing a global branding project, scheduled for launch in October, to reintroduce the destination with a fresh brand and perspective that highlights the islands’ culture, people, and uniqueness.
“This is a tough situation, but it gives us the chance to reset and reintroduce The Marianas to the world,” Villagomez said. “Government leaders must move quickly to provide financial and policy support to stabilize flights.”
He also urged all stakeholders, including those in the private sector, to “do our part by building demand—enhancing the on-island experience, investing in content creation that raises awareness of The Marianas abroad, and supporting the global branding launch that will reintroduce our islands to the world with a stronger identity.”
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