SAIPAN — The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands (HANMI) said Tuesday it is “deeply concerned” about the potential suspension of Korea–Saipan air service beginning March 29, warning the CNMI could lose its last direct air links to South Korea, its largest visitor market.
HANMI cited factors it said have been publicly identified by the Marianas Visitors Authority, including a strong U.S. dollar, regulatory seat-capacity obligations on the Korea–Guam route following the Korean Air–Asiana Airlines merger, and rising competition from beach destinations in Japan and Vietnam.
The group said reservations on the Korea–Saipan route have now closed beyond March 28, raising concern that daily services could be suspended unless solutions are found.
HANMI said tourism remains the primary economic driver of the Marianas, but the industry is still below pre-pandemic levels, and the loss of Korea service would be an immediate threat to the Commonwealth’s economic stability. HANMI said South Korea accounts for about 63 percent of total visitor arrivals and warned that losing direct access would have broad impacts on visitor numbers, hotel employment, small businesses, and the wider tourism economy.
The association said it is again seeking federal assistance, including a waiver from cabotage restrictions and consideration for an Essential Air Service designation, arguing urgent action is needed to preserve air access and prevent further economic decline.
HANMI also said continuation of the EVS-TAP program remains essential to sustaining visitor arrivals from China as part of longer-term tourism recovery.
In its statement, HANMI said it was not assigning blame or advocating for any single business, but voicing what it described as collective concern from the hotel sector and calling for leadership and coordination across government and relevant agencies. The association said it supports continued collaboration on practical, policy-compliant measures, including marketing and demand-support initiatives, to prevent a full suspension and maintain essential connectivity.
