The vital but struggling tourism industry in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas is expecting a boost next week, with charters from China due to start.
Sichuan Airlines is starting twice-weekly flights from Shanghai to Saipan on Monday.
And on Tuesday the airline will begin make charter flights from Guangzhou.
Sichuan Airlines will bring in planes with capacity for 236 passengers.
The charters come after a big slump in visitors from Japan.
