Air + Sea
Air + Sea
| A Shot In The Arm?
Airport Undergoes Major Works A major expansion project to enclose the departure building of the Francisco C. Ada Saipan International Airport began Sept. 2 as the Northern Marianas' Commonwealth Ports Authority (CPA) broke ground for the $14.3 million facility. The project-to be undertaken by The Boeing Company-will include a state-of-the-art baggage conveyer system, new check-in counters and installation of air conditioning units. Funded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the project will take 20 months to complete. It will also house the U.S. Transportation Security Administration's screening operations and the explosive detection system to be funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, according to CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas. - ADVERTISEMENT -
Meanwhile, Salas says the runway rehabilitation project on Saipan is on hold as there are problems with the commonwealth's Historic Preservation Office and Fish and Wildlife Office. Separately, on Tinian, a new terminal departure building is now under construction and the contract for extension of the Rota runway project by 1,000 feet is soon to be awarded. Tony Swanson, director of airport security programs at The Boeing Company,
says the Saipan terminal expansion project is critical to the Northern
Marianas' tourism industry. His company has installed security equipment
at more than 400 airports throughout the U.S. since 9/11. Pago Pago's Crowded Skies The American Samoa government has purchased an eight-seater plane for domestic and surveillance flights. Gov. Togiola T.A. Tulafono says the DeHavilland Islander, which seats up to eight passengers, cost $185,000. The cost of refurbishment and ferrying the aircraft from Canada to Pago Pago will almost double that cost. The purchase will largely be funded from the $500,000 approved by the territorial Legislature and signed into law in 2003 to address emergency transportation service needs for the Manu'a Islands. Governor Tulafono says the balance will come from his administration's budget. The aircraft will also be used for official government business and for emergency purposes for the Manu'a Islands. Perhaps the biggest duty for the aircraft will be surveillance of foreign vessels infringing territorial waters. Meanwhile, Tulafono says the government is looking into charter services between Honolulu and Pago Pago. He says contact has been made with some airlines, whose names he wouldn't reveal, over possible charter services. And Manulele Helicopters is looking at doing business in Pago Pago by the end of the year. Company President Perry Brown says Manulele has already acquired a four-passenger helicopter, which is currently undergoing refurbishment. The company has applied for U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification "and we are about half way through the process," says Brown. Manulele Helicopters plans to provide a variety of services in the territory including search and rescue operations, medical transport and waterlife survey. Brown says Manulele will also develop helicopter service for "air tours"
in the territory with the ultimate goal of providing similar service in
neighboring Samoa. Guam Airport
The A.B. Won Pat Guam International Airport was closed for about six
hours on Aug. 18 when the nose gear of a Northwest Airlines 747 collapsed
as it was landing. Only minor injuries were reported among the 335 people
on the flight from Japan. During the closure, eight incoming planes were
diverted to Andersen Air Force Base and hundreds of passengers were bussed
to the airport. Several flights were also diverted to Saipan. The 747
was towed off the runway the following day.
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