THE Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport is expecting more flights in June and July.
In his report during the Commonwealth Ports Authority board meeting on Thursday, CPA Executive Director Christopher Tenorio reported that United Airlines will send an additional weekly flight to Saipan.
Right now, Tenorio said United Airlines operates four times a week â Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. In July, the additional flight will operate on Sunday, and will bring the number of United Airlines flights to five times a week, Tenorio said.
Also, Jeju Airlines, which sent a charter flight to Saipan on May 25, will send another one on June 8, Tenorio said.
China suspends direct flight from Portugal after detecting cases on board
The Chinese authorities announced on 27 May the suspension of direct flights between Portugal and China for a period of two weeks, after seven cases of Covid-19 were detected on a flight from Lisbon on 14 May.
In a statement published on its official website, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said that the flight between Lisbon and the Chinese city of Xi an, operated by Beijing Capital Airlines, will be suspended from 31 May. After the suspension period, the operation may be resumed, with a frequency of one flight per week, the statement said.
China limits passengers from Portugal to direct flights
People living in Portugal will only be allowed to board direct flights to China, the Chinese embassy said on 16 February.
In a statement, the embassy justified the decision with the serious and complex situation of the Covid-19 pandemic in Portugal and the need to avoid cross-infection in transit.
The embassy will no longer accept applications for the issue of a green health code from permanent residents in Portugal wishing to travel to China via another country.
There is currently only one direct link between China and Portugal, with Chinese airline Beijing Capital Airlines flying between Lisbon and Xi an, in Shaanxi province, every Thursday and Saturday.
Qantas and China Eastern have been given the green light to continue operating an alliance between Australia and mainland China until March 2023.
On approving the extension of the partnership, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said it would result in a public benefit by assisting the two airlines in reinstating their flights and returning capacity more quickly as COVID-19 travel restrictions ease.
The government body added the agreement would also aid passengers by providing “an expanded range of destinations on a single ticket, improve connectivity, provide shorter journey times, and provide a wider range of loyalty program benefits.”
The two carriers entered the original partnership in 2015, with permission to operate the alliance in place until October 2020. Although authorization was being sought for an extension until March 2022, the ACCC has decided to prolong the approval for an extra year in light of depressed demand caused by the pandemic.
In operation
Underwent voluntary administration in 2020; now operating under new owners
One of its first major aviation acquisitions happened in 2006, when it ventured into neighbouring Hong Kong to buy up shares in what was then known as CR Airways. HNA Group ended up taking around 60% of the carrier, and it was renamed Hong Kong Airlines. The strategy was to expand its presence in Hong Kong, connecting the city with points in China and beyond.
The same year, HNA Group also acquired shares in Hong Kong Express, which was operating a small fleet of regional jets. The new ownership paved the way for it to be rebranded as a low-cost carrier – and sister unit to Hong Kong Airlines.