Hong Kong Airlines returns to Saipan after typhoon

By Andrew Curran.

Hong Kong Airlines has resumed flights to Saipan (SPN), becoming the second international carrier to do so following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Sinlaku in April, which severely damaged the Northern Mariana Islands' main airport.

Korean low-cost carrier Jeju Air resumed flights to Saipan in June.

Marianas Visitors Authority Acting Managing Director Judy C. Torres described the returning service from Hong Kong as “another step forward in reconnecting the Marianas with the world.”

Torres said the inaugural twice-weekly A320-200 round-trips between Hong Kong and Saipan operated with a 96% passenger load, with similarly strong loads expected on upcoming flights.

Saipan International Airport was closed to non-essential flights after Super Typhoon Sinlaku knocked out navigational aids, power and water supplies, and damaged two aerobridges. It took approximately two months for the airport to return to normal operations.

Before the typhoon, Saipan was served by Jeju Air, Hong Kong Airlines, t’way Air, Philippine Airlines, United Airlines and local operators Star Marianas Air and Micronesian Air Connection Services (MACS). However, the Korean carriers had already begun reducing services because of weakening demand.

Efforts to jumpstart flights amid sagging passenger demand

In February, Aero South Pacific reported that t’way Air, Air Busan and Jeju Air were all planning to end flights to Saipan in March, citing operational challenges. Korea is the Northern Marianas' largest visitor market, but the airlines also pointed to growing competition from emerging destinations in Japan and Vietnam. The typhoon accelerated a long-term decline in visitor numbers to the Northern Mariana Islands.

More than 600,000 international visitors travelled to the Northern Mariana Islands in 2018. By 2025, that figure had fallen to fewer than 150,000.

In March 2026, before the typhoon, the Northern Mariana Islands recorded 7,411 arrivals from Korea, a 17% decline compared with March 2025. Saipan Airport handled 60 flights from Korea during the month, down from 80 in March the previous year.

“Every additional seat into the Marianas supports local jobs, strengthens our visitor economy, and creates new opportunities for our hotels, restaurants, attractions, retailers and small businesses,” Torres said this week.

United Airlines continued operating essential services between Saipan and Guam (GUM), restoring the route within days of Typhoon Sinlaku after authorities deemed the flights essential. The airline plans to resume flights between Saipan and Tokyo Narita (NRT) on August 2.

Philippine Airlines expects to restart its Manila (MNL) - Saipan services in October.

Local operator Star Marianas Air also continues to operate flights between Saipan and Guam.

Photo: Ai-Generated.

Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com