SAIPAN, Northern Marianas — The return of Philippine Airlines to Saipan is expected to benefit thousands of Filipinos living and working in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) while opening new tourism markets for the US territory, a local tourism official said.
Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) board director Joe C. Guerrero said the Philippine flag carrier's return would do more than transport Filipino workers as its international network could help attract tourists from other countries.
Guerrero made the remarks during the MVA board meeting last Oct. 13, where the board approved a $400,000 sole-source promotional contract with PAL.
MVA acting managing director Judith Torres said the $400,000 promotional agreement would cover the 2026 winter and 2027 summer travel seasons.
PAL is scheduled to resume nonstop Manila-Saipan flights on Oct. 25, with the first return flight departing Saipan on Oct. 26.
The airline will initially operate twice weekly, departing Manila on Wednesdays and Sundays and Saipan on Mondays and Thursdays.
"There is a community aspect to this as well," Guerrero said, citing the benefits for CNMI residents traveling to the Philippines for medical treatment and other purposes.
He said PAL's international network would also help the territory reach tourism markets previously difficult to access.
"But more importantly for MVA, this is seen as a key pivot towards other markets that we've never been able to reach," Guerrero said.
He noted that PAL has connections to the US mainland, Asia, and Europe, providing opportunities for international travelers to visit Saipan through Manila.
Guerrero also cited the airline's competitive fares and availability of economy and business class service, which could help the MVA attract higher-spending tourists under its Far From Ordinary tourism campaign.
Commonwealth Ports Authority board chairman Bartley Jackson welcomed PAL's return, saying the direct connection would make travel easier for Filipinos and other CNMI residents.
"You don't have to go through Korea. You don't have to go through Guam. You can go direct to Manila," Jackson said in an earlier interview with Marianas Press.
PAL regional head for Japan, Korea, and Oceania Bryan Sansolis earlier said that the airline delayed its return to allow the CNMI to recover from recent typhoons and because it needed sufficient passenger traffic.