2 Jul 2008

First Narita flight lands on CNMI's Saipan

10:38 am on 2 July 2008

The inaugural Northwest Airlines flight from Tokyo's Narita Airport to Saipan is expected to boost tourist numbers to the Northern Marianas by thousands.

The landmark event is the start of a new daily service schedule for travellers after months of negotiations between the airline travel agents and local officials.

The new flights are expected to draw thousands of new visitors to the Commonwealth giving the tourism sector a needed boost.

Northwest's additional flights from Tokyo are expected to bring in more than 74,000 new tourists each year.