Hong Kong Airlines will resume flights to Saipan from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China on Sept. 21, according to Marianas Visitors Authority board chairman Warren Villagomez.
“The CNMI tourism industry welcomes the return of Hong Kong Airlines,” Villagomez said. “Recently, we've been having good traction with EVS-TAP in regards to all the reviews and vetting. We look forward to working closely with the federal government on those positive outcomes.”
EVS-TAP is an electronic travel authorization system that allows prescreened nationals of the People’s Republic of China to visit the CNMI without a visa.
Villagomez confirmed the Sept. 21 flight will be a charter.
“We have customers that are committed and purchased seats for that scheduled charter our way coming to CNMI,” he said.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, tourists from China comprised about 40% of CNMI visitors, with direct flights from multiple cities.
MVA will release further updates on Hong Kong Airlines’ flight schedule at a later date.
