Air & Sea
Transport Briefs
Jan/Feb 2007
It would cost more than $40 million to totally rebuild the Tinian seaport and breakwater, the local government and the Commonwealth Ports Authority (CPA) estimates. The breakwater is fast deteriorating and unless funding is found, could collapse altogether during the next powerful storm. The CPA has been trying to find funds for its repair since the early 1990s and was hoping the U.S. government would fund it. Repeated requests for funds by the CNMI government have proved futile but Tinian’s political leaders have not given up hope. In early October, Tinian Mayor Jose P. San Nicolas declared a state of emergency on the breakwater, hoping to have funds released for temporary repair.
—Frank S. Rosario
Air Tahiti Nui stockholders have agreed to increase the airline’s capital to offset a deficit as part of a three-year plan to put the carrier back in the black. The stockholders agreed to increase the airline’s capital by 1.8 billion French Pacific francs (US$19.8 million). The French Polynesian government has made a similar commitment to increase funds available to the airline. Air Tahiti Nui CEO Eric Pommier said late last year that the deficit by the end of 2006 could reach US$30.77 million.
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French-Italian aircraft manufacturer ATR (Avions de Transport
Régional) has officially opened a new Pacific-dedicated office in Sydney, Australia as part of a move to strengthen its presence in the regional market. The office will provide sales and technical backup and support for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. ATR has business in New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Fiji.
Polynesian Blue Airlines was named “New Airline of the Year”
by the Center for Asia Pacific Aviation late 2006. The joint venture between Virgin Blue and the Samoan government turned a pre-tax profit of NZD$1.19 million (US$752,000) between October 20 2005 and June 2006.
