24 May 2018

Japan airline eyes return to Northern Marianas

10:22 am on 24 May 2018

Skymark Airlines, Japan's third biggest carrier, is expected to launch direct flights from Tokyo to Saipan in October this year.

The waters near Bird Island lookout in Saipan

The waters near Bird Island lookout in Saipan Photo: RNZI / Mark Rabago

The carrier will be the first Japan-based carrier in the CNMI since 2005, when Japan Airlines closed its Saipan office.

Governor Ralph Torres says an agreement between Skymark and Saipan marks a monumental breakthrough for the Japan tourism market.

The CNMI currently lacks direct service to Japan after Delta Air Lines pulled out of Micronesia earlier this month.

In recent years, there has been a steady decline in visitor numbers from Japan to the CNMI.

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