But Does It Need One?

No one disagrees the addition of an instrument landing system at Tinian Airport (PGWT), located on the island 80 miles north of Guam, would increase capability at the airfield. But there is some question whether the airport really needs one.

Count Tinian mayor Jose P. San Nicolas among those who want the ILS installed, according to the Saipan Times.

“We're still waiting for it. It's up to the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] and the Department of the Interior,” he said in a recent interview, adding the DOI hasn't yet approved a request to redirect capital improvement program funds towards installation of the ILS.

A delegation from Tinian has set aside $3.5 million for the ILS -- but the funds are already committed to other projects, including a water treatment plant and landfill.

San Nicolas says installation of an ILS would mean more airline flights at the airport, bringing passengers -- and their money -- to the island.

“We have to prioritize projects that make money first," San Nicolas says. "ILS will bring airlines to Tinian. It means people who will spend money on [the] casino. It's my belief that ILS is the first thing to do. It's a money making project."

San Nicolas also maintains there aren't enough CIP funds to complete the projects the money is currently assigned to, anyway.

“If you do the water treatment now and other CIP projects, it will cost us more. It's more expensive. We'd need $22 million to complete those. It would take years before we can get that full CIP funding,” said the mayor.

The Commonwealth Ports Authority, which controls Tinian Airport, has also expressed its support of installing an ILS... although it initially said the airport really doesn't need one.

The airport on nearby Palau doesn't have one, CPA noted, and airlines are able to land just fine there. In the worst case, an ILS approach is available at Saipan Airport.

But business leaders on Tinian want anything that might bring more people to the island... and the delegation says what's good for those business, is good for Tinian.

“So long as Tinian investors, including Tinian Dynasty, Marianas Resort Development Corp., or Bridge Investment Group, continue to emphasize that the ILS is critical to commence the direct international charter flights to Tinian, we will work with them to make the ILS a reality,” said delegation chairman and Senate president Joseph Mendiola.

FMI: http://net.saipan.com/cftemplates/cpa/index.cfm?pageID=63