The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands is calling for action after Korean carriers announced they will suspend Saipan service beginning March 29.
T’way Air and Jeju Air closed reservations beyond March 28 while finalizing their summer 2026 schedules, effectively signaling the suspension, according to HANMI.
The Marianas Visitors Authority says both airlines are facing mounting pressures on the route, including a strong U.S. dollar, new seat‑capacity requirements on the Korea–Guam corridor following the Korean Air–Asiana merger, and growing competition from beach destinations in Japan and Vietnam.
With South Korea accounting for about 63% of all visitor arrivals, HANMI warns that losing direct service would immediately threaten hotel jobs, small businesses, and the broader tourism‑driven economy.
To prevent a full shutdown, the association is urging federal intervention. It is requesting a waiver of cabotage restrictions and consideration for Essential Air Service designation.
A cabotage waiver would allow foreign airlines to temporarily operate certain U.S. domestic‑type routes—such as multi‑segment flights linking Saipan to other U.S. points—when no U.S. carrier is available. HANMI says this flexibility could help maintain essential air access if Korea flights stop.
The group stresses that its appeal is not meant to assign blame, but to reflect the hotel sector’s collective concern over the stability of the destination. It also says the continuation of the EVS‑TAP program remains critical to sustaining arrivals from China.
HANMI is calling for coordinated leadership from government and tourism agencies and for rapid collaboration on policy‑compliant measures, including targeted marketing and demand‑support efforts. The association says the coming weeks will be decisive and that the industry stands ready to work with MVA and government partners to protect Saipan’s tourism recovery.
