12/03/2025 - Micronesia Resort Inc. is spending $2.6 million to operate exclusive charter flights from Incheon and Busan to Saipan via T'way Airlines and Air Busan from Jan. 2 to Feb. 28, 2026, to capture the peak winter travel season in South Korea.
MRI vice president Dennis Seo said E-Land Group properties on Saipan are not the only hotels set to benefit from the charter flights.
“Through these charter flights, all hotels on Saipan can benefit by promoting and selling their products. Although the charters are arranged and guaranteed by E-Land Micronesia, participation is open to every hotel on the island,” he told Marianas Press in a statement.
Hotels under MRI’s purview in the CNMI include Kensington Hotel Saipan, Pacific Islands Club Saipan, and Coral Ocean Resort Saipan.
Seo added that the initiative represents a significant contribution by the E-Land Group to support tourism recovery and stimulate the local economy and business community.
“The purpose of this charter project is to strengthen the overall Marianas tourism industry by enabling all hotels and travel partners to jointly target the Busan regional market and share the opportunities that come with it,” he said.
The charter flights will operate twice weekly from both Incheon and Busan. The Incheon–Saipan route runs on Mondays and Fridays from Jan. 2 to Feb. 27 via T'way Airlines, while the Busan–Saipan route departs on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Jan. 7 to Feb. 28 via Air Busan.
As part of the effort, Kensington Hotel Saipan, PIC Saipan, and Coral Ocean Resort Saipan will introduce family-tailored packages by February 2026, featuring signature offerings popular among guests at MRI-operated hotels and resorts.
Kensington Hotel Saipan is preparing a “Kids All-Inclusive” product that combines kids-only rooms and tourism programs. PIC Saipan will offer its “Signature All-Inclusive,” which bundles waterpark access with tours of Managaha Island. Coral Ocean Resort Saipan is rolling out a “Golf+Tour Package” that pairs an 18-hole round of golf with city tours.
“The charter flights are tailored to meet the demand for family travel to Saipan, which is warm during the peak winter season. We will continue strengthening the competitiveness of Saipan tourism with customized products,” an MRI official said.
Report by Mark Rabago