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Call For CNMI Leaders To Fight Back On High Airfares

Monday, 9 June 2025, 7:25 pm
Article: RNZ

Mark Rabago, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent

Former Northern Mariana Islands lawmaker Edwin K. Propst taken to social media to urge leaders to "go to war" with United Airlines over what he claims are exorbitant airfares between Saipan and Guam.

The call to action comes amid renewed efforts to reinstate the Essential Air Service program in the CNMI and push for a cabotage exemption.

"Attention all leaders of the Marianas in the public and private sector, it is time to go to war with this airline," Propst wrote.

The former representative, who now works at the CNMI broadband policy and development office, shared his frustration after attempting to book a four-day roundtrip ticket from Guam to Saipan in June - to find the lowest available fare was US$767.

"For a 25-minute flight?!

"They have just made record-breaking profits and instead of rewarding their customers, they increase their prices."

Propst called the airfares "devastating" to the local economy and tourism.

The CNMI is currently seeking exemption from federal cabotage restrictions, which bar foreign airlines from operating domestic routes between US territories such as Guam and the CNMI.

Governor Arnold Palacios mentioned this effort during his State of the Commonwealth Address, saying he had "actively advocated for potential cabotage waiver [and] essential air services" in recent talks with federal agencies and congressional leaders.

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Palacios emphasized the importance of improved regional connectivity to support the CNMI's tourism-dependent economy.

Senate public utilities, transportation and communications committee chair, Senator Jude Hofschneider called Propst's complaints a "sad reality of economic times," adding that United's pricing is "likely a business decision by the air carrier".

Still, Hofschneider said the moment calls for greater support of Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds' bill introduced in April to requalify CNMI airports for the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. If passed, the measure would allow federal subsidies to fund daily round-trip flights even if commercial carriers withdraw service.

A quote from CWM Travel International showed a Saipan-Guam roundtrip departing 8 June 8 and returning 12 June costing $420 - significantly cheaper than Propst's booking but still high for an inter-island flight.

The EAS program, created in 1978 and stripped from CNMI eligibility in 2012, was intended to preserve air access for small US communities.

King-Hinds' bill seeks to restore eligibility to Saipan, Tinian, and Rota by placing CNMI alongside Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico in exemption status.

United Airlines has not responded to requests for comment.

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