(PR) - The Marshall Islands Visitors Authority reports that Japan Airlines continues to be optimistic despite delays with the resurfacing of the Marshall Islands international airport runway and the acquisition of the equipment needed to service the airline.
JAL is now looking at August for the first flight (the July schedule has been cancelled).
Estimates have shown that based on one flight consisting of 200 passengers on a 4-day trip in the RMI approximately $240,000 will be injected into the RMI economy, with $17,000 in taxes.
If JAL was to fly into the RMI once a month for one year, we are looking at approximately $3.9 million a year. This would encourage locals to start-up and/or expand their businesses to cater towards tourism, eventually leading to the creation of more jobs resulting in an improved and sustainable livelihood for many of the residents here in the RMI.
Communications continue between JAL, the MIVA Japan Office, SR Associates and RMIPA.
On a more positive note, MIVA was pleased to learn of President Note痴 apparent support of JAL when he discussed the possibility of this flight with the new Japanese Ambassador for the region.
MIVA will also be working more closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Majuro Atoll Local Government in gaining more support towards this project.
Japan Airlines new charter air service to Majuro will begin with a direct flight from Tokyo to Majuro on February 11, 2007. The Boeing 767-300, with 200 passengers, will arrive at 6:00 p.m.
Koji Mochizuki, a JAL Manager, said the Japanese tourists who are expected to be mostly scuba divers would return to Tokyo departing Majuro four days later, said Koji Mochizuki, a JAL International Manager.
Last week, Mochizuki and the visiting team members met with Republic of the Marshall Islands government officials to discuss issues which still remain including airport handling facilities, translation, and ground transportation. The team also met with the Executive Council of the Marshall Islands Chamber of Commerce.
Dave Carlstrom of Aviation Consulting, in Seattle, Washington, and Burney Hall, the owner of Fairbanks, Alaska, Airport ground handling company, accompanied Mochizuki on the visit. Due to their experience with JAL flights at Fairbanks, Alaska, they were asked by the airline to assist with the JAL/Majuro project.
Marshall Islands officials and business people expect the Japan-Marshalls flight to help kick-start the young tourism industry. More hotel facilities and development on some of the outer islands are expected to follow.
Satoshi Yoshii, a local tourism entrepenuer, who has worked to encourage the JAL flights, has been representing the Marshall Islands Tourism Authority in Dive and Tourist Shows in Japan. MIVA conducted a survey during one of the shows. Eighty-eight percent of the surveyed were divers, and eight-four percent had heard about the Marshall Islands and imagine it to have beautiful corals and pristine waters. According to MIVA, when asked about JAL and the possibility of direct flights into the RMI, 99 out of 144 participants replied that they would visit the RMI within the year while 42 said that they will visit in the next 1-2 years.
Although JAL's service to the Marshalls was expected to begin 2006, the Majuro airport repaying job, lack of equipment required for loading cargo and passengers, and other logistical concerns have delayed the charter service.