Philippine Airlines pushes back resumption of Manila-Saipan flights to late October

Philippine Airlines is pushing back the resumption of its flights to Saipan to late October.

According to a report from the Marianas Variety published on June 14, the Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) confirmed the Philippine flag carrier extended the suspension of it Manila-Saipan flights (2P2571/2P2572) to October 22. The route has been suspended since late April after Saipan’s airport sustained damage due to Typhoon Sinlaku.

Separately, aeroroutes reported the resumption will take place on October 25.

It is the third time the service resumption was rescheduled. Philippine Airlines previously planned to resume the Manila-Saipan flights on June 18, before pushing it back to June 21 after night operations at Saipan International Airport resumes on the previous day.

The twice-weekly flights will operate every Wednesday and Sunday (Monday and Thursday for the return). The outbound flight will depart Manila at 1945H and arrive at Saipan the following morning at 0145H. The return flight will depart Saipan at 0250H and arrive back at Manila at 0505H.

“The Philippines remains a promising market for the Marianas, and the Marianas Visitors Authority looks forward to the resumption of direct Manila–Saipan flights later this year,” MVA Acting Managing Director Judy C. Torres was quoted saying in the report from the Marianas Variety. “This route has proven to be a valuable link for leisure travelers and a convenient channel for business and medical travel for the Marianas community overall.”

Philippine Airlines launched the Manila-Saipan flights on March 29 after an absence of 9 years.