Commonwealth Ports Authority

Saipan International Airport:

• It is the gateway to the CNMI, serving Saipan, Rota & Tinian.
• It accommodates wide-bodied aircraft, i.e. DC 10's and 747's.
• Runway is 8,700 feet long with parallel taxiways.
• Main terminal accommodates international passengers with six jetways.
• Convenient Immigration and Customs processing.
• Major airlines operating: Continental Micronesia, Northwest Airlines, Asiana Airlines, China Southern and China Eastern Airlines.
• Flights are direct from cities in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Manila, China and Guam.
• Commuter terminal serves as feeder for Tinian and Rota using single engines, Shorts 360 and ATR 42 aircraft (inter-island travel).
• Major duty free concessionaire (Duty Free Shoppers) offers high-quality products.
• Experienced caterer (LSG Lufthansa) provides food and beverage service for flight kitchen and restaurants.
• Six car rental companies, and automated teller machine, tourist information booths, cargo handling services, snack shops, a massage booth, internet service, and overnight parking facilities.
• Airport is open 24 hours, seven days a week.
• 24-Hours Operating Air Traffic Control Tower
• 24-Hours Operating Aircraft rescue personnel/equipment
• FAA certified facility.

CPA has completed many crucial improvement projects to the Saipan International Airport.  They include the replacement of the High Roof which was constructed by AIC Marianas, installation of typhoon shutters in connection with funds received from FEMA for repairs to damages sustained by Typhoon Chaba’s,  enclosure of the airport’s water pump which also sustained damage during the typhoon, expansion of the Departure Terminal and construction of a basement to house TSA’s CTX machines, conversion of its apron from asphalt cement to Portland Concrete Cement, construction of a new water catchment system outside of the airport’s air operations area and improvements to its runway safety area.

Anticipated projects for 2008 include the conversion of its parallel taxiway to a temporary runway for use by the airlines during the runway’s rehabilitation, closure of the water catchment system located inside the AOA, procurement and installation of a new generator for the airport’s backup power requirements, expansion of the ARFF building to protect the ARFF vehicles and equipment from inclement weather, and relocation of the its instrument landing system.

The Saipan International Airport has seen some major physical changes within the last couple of years.  One is the High Roof Replacement Project which was awarded to AIC Marianas in 2004 and completed in 2006.  The project consisted of the replacement of all the cal-shake tiles on the high roofs at the airport due to their deteriorating state.

In addition, in January 2006, CPA opened bids for the installation of typhoon shutters at the Saipan International Airport, in connection with funds received from FEMA for repairs to damages sustained by Typhoon Chaba’s. This project costs $115,605.

CPA also received a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration for Typhoon Chaba repairs which included the enclosure of the airport’s water pump which also sustained damage during the typhoon.  This small project was for the amount of $28,340.  The funds also included miscellaneous improvements made throughout the airport due to damages from the storm.

CPA received a grant from the FAA for the procurement of a Rapid Intervention Vehicle for the Pacific Regional ARFF Training Center.  In June 2005, the official Notice to Proceed was issued and the vehicle was received in February 2006.  The vehicle was purchased for $450,000.  CPA is now procuring a 1,500 Gallon ARFF vehicle along with 13 other ARFF trucks for the Micronesian airports.  Tentative arrival of these vehicles is set for August 2007.

The EDS Installation/Departure Expansion project saw some major changes in 2006.  The extended departure lobby was completed in early 2007.  The paint on the baggage conveyors in the basement area where the CTX machines need minor touch ups which is being worked on at this time.  The overall project is scheduled for completion by June 2007 and will allow for a speedier check-in process and baggage scanning.  The project is being construction by The Boeing Company through their sub-contractors, GPPC, Inc., Cage and GE.  The overall project costs approximately $15 million. 

CPA has begun work on the relocation of the Water Catchment System located at the Saipan Airport.  Maeda Pacific Corporation was give official notice to resume work in December 2006.  The designer for the project is now working on putting together the bid documents for Package II which includes the actual rehabilitation of the runway and converting the parallel taxiway to a temporary runway.  Bidding is tentatively scheduled for August 2007.

CPA also began work on the conversion of the apron from asphalt cement to Portland concrete cement.  This is Phase IV of this project and is being performed by Hawaiian Rock Products.  The cost is approximately $2.9 million.