CNMI suspends new flights to cope with record arrivals

6:55 am on 16 June 2017
Sunset as viewed from Saipan, the main island of the Northern Marianas.

Sunset as viewed from Saipan, the main island of the Northern Marianas. Photo: RNZI / Mark Rabago

The Northern Marianas has announced it will not put on additional international flights over the next two months as the numbers of tourists arriving in the territory continue to soar.

The Commonwealth Ports Authority wants to assess the islands' infrastructure and capacity to accommodate the rapid increase.

The Authority adopted the moratorium after recognizing the CNMI's severe lack of hotels and other accommodation for tourists.

Currently, there are up to 14 airlines servicing the CNMI.

The Authority said arrivals jumped 48-percent in April to reach 52,438 visitors - up from just over 35, 000 in April last year.