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Star Marianas Air, Inc. is a U.S. commuter airline headquartered at Tinian International Airport in Tinian Municipality, Northern Mariana Islands.[2] It operates scheduled and charter passenger service in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, both U.S. territories in the Pacific Ocean.
 | |
| Founded | 2008 |
|---|---|
| AOC # | 1SMA230M[1] |
| Hubs | Tinian International Airport |
| Fleet size | 12 |
| Headquarters | Tinian Municipality, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, US |
| Website | www |
Star Marianas Air has been the only airline linking Guam and the smaller Northern Mariana Islands, and is vital for the Commonwealth's transportation needs. Congressman Gregorio Sablan has pushed for assistance from the Essential Air Service on these routes.[3]
The airline flies small planes between Guam, Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, and was noted on CNN for its short ten minute flights that link the islands together.[4]
History
editStar Marianas Air is named after four islands that constitute the three largest municipalities in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Saipan, Tinian & Aguigan, and Rota.[5]
Star Mariana's Air was founded in 2008 and was approved by the FAA on April 1, 2009, to operate in the Northern Mariana Islands. The first flight took place on 2 April 2009[5] between the islands Tinian and Saipan with a Piper PA-32.
In 2010, three more Piper PA-32s were purchased, doubling the fleet from three to six aircraft. In 2013, the first of five Piper PA-31s was acquired, and charter flights were added to the islands of Rota and Guam.
In June 2014, the airline was authorized by the FAA and the United States Department of Transportation to operate scheduled flights from Saipan Airport to Rota and Tinian Airports. Previously, there were only charter flights.
The US Department of Transportation granted the airline Commuter Air Carrier status in 2014.[6]
In 2016, the fleet was again expanded to seven Piper PA-32 and five Piper PA-31. In addition, since then, an average of 200 flights per day are being carried out.
In 2016 a non-stop Saipan to Guam route was opened, at that time they operated 11 small Piper aircraft.[6]
In 2021, there was one week halt, and three week disruption to commuter flights.[3]
In 2023, two other airlines ceased operations in the Marianas, Marianas Southern, which flew Tecnam P2012 Traveller, and Asiana, leaving Star Marianas as the sole airline, not counting the United 737 airliner flights between Saipan and Guam.[7][8]
Destinations
editStar Marianas Air flies to four destinations: Saipan International Airport, Rota International Airport, Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (near Hagåtña, Guam), and Tinian International Airport.[9]
Fleet
edit| Type | Fleet | Orders | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee 6 | 8 | 0 | 5 |
| Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain | 5 | 0 | 8 |
References
edit- ^ "Federal Aviation Administration - Airline Certificate Information - Detail View". av-info.faa.gov. Retrieved 2019-06-27.
- ^ "Star Marianas Air - Company Information". Star Marianas Air. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
Our corporate offices are located at Hangar One on West Tinian International Airport on the beautiful island of Tinian.
- ^ a b "US Congressman wants EAS eligibility for CNMI". ch-aviation. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
- ^ Lendon, Brad (2020-01-30). "This airline will let you sit in the co-pilot's seat, but it won't carry your cake". CNN. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
- ^ a b "Star Marianas Air - Company Information". Star Marianas Air. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
- ^ a b Release, Press (2016-05-14). "STAR Marianas bares new direct Saipan Guam service". The Guam Daily Post. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
- ^ Release, Press (2023-03-30). "Southern Airways withdrawing from NMI". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
- ^ "CNMI's Southern Marianas ups fares as gov't dispute simmers". ch-aviation. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
- ^ "Star Marianas Air - Passenger Flight Schedule". Star Marianas Air. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
- ^ "Star Marianas Air - Our Fleet". Star Marianas Air. Retrieved 12 August 2017.