T'way Air Resumes Saipan Route... "Operates Twice Weekly"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] T'way Air announced on the 28th that it will resume flights on the Saipan route, a travel destination that can be safely enjoyed without quarantine during this Lunar New Year holiday period.

From the 29th, flights on the Incheon-Saipan route will continue twice a week. Flights will operate every Thursday and Sunday on the 29th of this month, the 2nd and 6th of next month, and thereafter.

T'way Air resumed the Incheon-Saipan route in July last year, 1 year and 4 months after it was suspended due to the pandemic, in line with the government's travel bubble agreement with the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan, Tinian, Rota). This route had been operating until early this month. Considering the increasing demand for overseas travel ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, the airline decided to resume operations.

The Incheon-Saipan route departs Incheon Airport at 9:00 AM and arrives in Saipan at 2:30 PM local time. The return flight departs Saipan at 3:30 PM and arrives at Incheon Airport at 7:20 PM.

The Northern Mariana Islands, which include Saipan, currently have a travel bubble agreement with the Republic of Korea, exempting travelers from the 10-day self-quarantine. Quarantine exemption through the travel bubble is only available to those who book package tours through travel agencies.

Upon entering Saipan, travelers must submit a negative rapid antigen test (Antigen) certificate in English conducted within 1 day of arrival time, an English vaccination certificate, and a negative PCR test result conducted within 48 hours prior to departure for entry into Korea. According to the Mariana Tourism Authority, travel bubble passengers entering the Northern Mariana Islands in February will receive free PCR testing for their return to Korea, and a travel subsidy of $100 will be provided upon online pre-registration.

A T'way Air official stated, “This is the optimal timing to enjoy a safe trip to Saipan in a clean environment and peaceful atmosphere,” adding, “We will strictly adhere to quarantine guidelines and do our best to ensure passengers can travel abroad with peace of mind through safe operations.”