Landing rites

The already-troubled Commonwealth Ports Authority will lose $106,000 in revenue when Continental Airlines stops its direct Manila flights, according to the Saipan Tribune.

Here we go: higher costs for businesses, huge inconveniences for contract workers and the few remaining NCLEX takers. Most importantly, medical referrals will be in trouble. Our politicians will be inconvenienced going to 'the Farm' and even our 'fly-by-night' educational industry can expect a hit.

The word on the street is that the Saipan Continental office will close.

Our ace in the hole may be Northwest adding flights in July. Flights to Honolulu and Las Vegas should become increasingly expensive, giving us a competitive advantage. Okinawa may trump that card,of course: in the past that was the choice of many Japanese travelers in similar circumstances.