logo
Call for CNMI leaders to fight back on high airfares

Call for CNMI leaders to fight back on high airfares

RNZ News8 hours ago

Photo:
Supplied / United Airlines
Former Northern Mariana Islands lawmaker Edwin K. Propst taken to social media to urge leaders to "go to war" with United Airlines over what he claims are exorbitant airfares between Saipan and Guam.
The call to action comes amid renewed efforts to reinstate the Essential Air Service program in the CNMI and push for a cabotage exemption.
"Attention all leaders of the Marianas in the public and private sector, it is time to go to war with this airline," Propst wrote.
The former representative, who now works at the CNMI broadband policy and development office, shared his frustration after attempting to book a four-day roundtrip ticket from Guam to Saipan in June - to find the lowest available fare was US$767.
"For a 25-minute flight?!
"They have just made record-breaking profits and instead of rewarding their customers, they increase their prices."
Propst called the airfares "devastating" to the local economy and tourism.
The CNMI is currently seeking exemption from federal cabotage restrictions, which bar foreign airlines from operating domestic routes between US territories such as Guam and the CNMI.
Governor Arnold Palacios mentioned this effort during his State of the Commonwealth Address, saying he had "actively advocated for potential cabotage waiver [and] essential air services" in recent talks with federal agencies and congressional leaders.
Palacios emphasized the importance of improved regional connectivity to support the CNMI's tourism-dependent economy.
Senate public utilities, transportation and communications committee chair, Senator Jude Hofschneider called Propst's complaints a "sad reality of economic times," adding that United's pricing is "likely a business decision by the air carrier".
Still, Hofschneider said the moment calls for greater support of Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds' bill introduced in April to requalify CNMI airports for the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. If passed, the measure would allow federal subsidies to fund daily round-trip flights even if commercial carriers withdraw service.
A quote from CWM Travel International showed a Saipan-Guam roundtrip departing 8 June 8 and returning 12 June costing $420 - significantly cheaper than Propst's booking but still high for an inter-island flight.
The EAS program, created in 1978 and stripped from CNMI eligibility in 2012, was intended to preserve air access for small US communities.
King-Hinds' bill seeks to restore eligibility to Saipan, Tinian, and Rota by placing CNMI alongside Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico in exemption status.
United Airlines has not responded to requests for comment.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Government makes another investment into tourism marketing
Government makes another investment into tourism marketing

NZ Herald

time4 hours ago

  • NZ Herald

Government makes another investment into tourism marketing

The Government is pumping another $13.5 million into international tourism marketing, with the expectation it brings an extra 72,000 visitors to New Zealand. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Tourism Minister Louise Upston are expected to talk to media about the announcement at a 3.30pm press conference at Auckland International Airport. The money is on top of other investments into marketing announced earlier this year. Those were focused on increasing visitors between now and early 2026, while today's announcement is focused on arrivals in the years beyond that. Upston said today's funding – which comes from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) - will be targeted towards core markets like Australia, the United States and China over the coming years. 'We know how important marketing is to attract visitors, with around 14% of international holiday visitors directly influenced by Tourism NZ's marketing activity,' she said. It's expected to deliver an extra 72,000 international visitors to NZ and generate about $300 million in spending, which the minister said was a 'very strong return on investment'. Upston said international visitor numbers continue to climb and this additional investment would help drive economic growth. 'Encouraging more visitors means more people staying in our hotels, eating in our cafés, spending in our shops and visiting our attractions. 'This creates jobs and drives economic growth. We want people to know New Zealand is open for business and we welcome visitors with open arms.' The minister said this is the first investment from the Government's yet-to-be-revealed Tourism Growth Roadmap. She said it will set out a 'series of Government initiatives and investments for the Government and industry to work together to double the value of tourism exports by 2034″. This is in addition to the $13.5 million announced by Upston in April for marketing as well as the 'Everyone Must Go' campaign to get Australians to New Zealand.

Call for CNMI leaders to fight back on high airfares
Call for CNMI leaders to fight back on high airfares

RNZ News

time8 hours ago

  • RNZ News

Call for CNMI leaders to fight back on high airfares

Photo: Supplied / United Airlines Former Northern Mariana Islands lawmaker Edwin K. Propst taken to social media to urge leaders to "go to war" with United Airlines over what he claims are exorbitant airfares between Saipan and Guam. The call to action comes amid renewed efforts to reinstate the Essential Air Service program in the CNMI and push for a cabotage exemption. "Attention all leaders of the Marianas in the public and private sector, it is time to go to war with this airline," Propst wrote. The former representative, who now works at the CNMI broadband policy and development office, shared his frustration after attempting to book a four-day roundtrip ticket from Guam to Saipan in June - to find the lowest available fare was US$767. "For a 25-minute flight?! "They have just made record-breaking profits and instead of rewarding their customers, they increase their prices." Propst called the airfares "devastating" to the local economy and tourism. The CNMI is currently seeking exemption from federal cabotage restrictions, which bar foreign airlines from operating domestic routes between US territories such as Guam and the CNMI. Governor Arnold Palacios mentioned this effort during his State of the Commonwealth Address, saying he had "actively advocated for potential cabotage waiver [and] essential air services" in recent talks with federal agencies and congressional leaders. Palacios emphasized the importance of improved regional connectivity to support the CNMI's tourism-dependent economy. Senate public utilities, transportation and communications committee chair, Senator Jude Hofschneider called Propst's complaints a "sad reality of economic times," adding that United's pricing is "likely a business decision by the air carrier". Still, Hofschneider said the moment calls for greater support of Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds' bill introduced in April to requalify CNMI airports for the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. If passed, the measure would allow federal subsidies to fund daily round-trip flights even if commercial carriers withdraw service. A quote from CWM Travel International showed a Saipan-Guam roundtrip departing 8 June 8 and returning 12 June costing $420 - significantly cheaper than Propst's booking but still high for an inter-island flight. The EAS program, created in 1978 and stripped from CNMI eligibility in 2012, was intended to preserve air access for small US communities. King-Hinds' bill seeks to restore eligibility to Saipan, Tinian, and Rota by placing CNMI alongside Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico in exemption status. United Airlines has not responded to requests for comment.

CNMI Congresswoman urges fix to 'untenable' mail delays
CNMI Congresswoman urges fix to 'untenable' mail delays

RNZ News

time12 hours ago

  • RNZ News

CNMI Congresswoman urges fix to 'untenable' mail delays

Photo: AFP Delegate Kimberly King-Hinds is calling for urgent reforms from the United States Postal Service to fix what she called "extreme delivery delays" in mail service to the Northern Mariana Islands. In a formal letter sent last week to newly appointed postmaster, General David Steiner, King-Hinds congratulated him on his appointment but quickly turned attention to what she described as long-standing and worsening postal service issues affecting the Commonwealth. It follows a wave of complaints from CNMI residents and businesses who say mail delays are increasingly untenable and disruptive to daily life. "Mail from the mainland is routinely routed through the San Francisco Processing and Distribution Center and is placed on maritime transport, rather than airmail," the congresswoman wrote. "This results in extreme delivery delays that interfere with access to vital services and materials - prescription medications, legal documents, and critical business supplies among them." According to King-Hinds, residents and businesses in the CNMI have reported wait times of up to eight to 10 weeks for packages and standard mail originating from the continental US - a situation she said runs contrary to USPS' universal service obligation, which requires accessible and timely mail delivery to all US jurisdictions, including insular areas. In her letter, King-Hinds posed a series of pointed questions to the USPS leadership, requesting transparency and data on: "I stand ready to work collaboratively with USPS leadership to ensure all Americans, in any zip code, receive the timely, reliable service they deserve," King-Hinds said in a statement. The congresswoman emphasized that she would continue to press for postal equity and fairness, noting that the current delays not only frustrate consumers but could amount to unequal treatment of US citizens based on geography. King-Hinds had also raised concern about the postal service earlier this year. The USPS has yet to publicly respond to the inquiry.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store