Embedded Files
06/03/2025—In the midst of a request from the CNMI to be exempted from cabotage laws and the reinstatement of the Essential Air Service tag for the Commonwealth, a former lawmaker has criticized United Airlines on what he alleges is the end of the carrier’s discounted rates on its Saipan-Guam route, even asking CNMI leaders “to go to war.”
In a social media post entitled “Shameful RIP OFF CROOKED UNITED AIRLINES! SHAME ON YOU!” Edwin K. Propst accused United Airlines for being “greedy gluttonous.”
“I'm trying to book a Guam-Saipan round trip in June for four days and lowest available airfare is an insane, astronomical $767!!!! For a 25-minute flight!”
The current program manager at CNMI Broadband Policy and Development Office then suggested that Commonwealth leaders “to go to war” on this alleged practice by United Airlines.
“Attention all leaders of the Marianas in the public and private sector, it is time to go to war with this airline! They have just made record-breaking profits and instead of rewarding their customers, they increase their prices and continue to rip us off! This has to end!”
He also said it’s probably high time to file a class action lawsuit against the carrier.
“I will gladly donate to such a lawsuit! This is devastating to our economy, our tourism, and our livelihood! Imagine if Hawaii increased their rates to this amount for their interisland travel...heads would explode and those airlines would be in deep trouble. But for some reason, United is KING and nothing can be done so far. This has to stop! I will never go to Guam again with such outrageous rip-off greedy airfares! How many of us can afford this???? Shameful. Despicable. And should be CRIMINAL!” he ended his social media post.
Senate Public Utilities and Transportation and Communications Committee chair Sen. Jude Hofschneider said the high-cost of airfare between Saipan and Guam is a sad reality of economic times.
“It's rather unfortunate for the high cost of airfare but it's likely a business decision by the air carrier.”
It’s the more reason for local leaders and the CNMI community to rally and support Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds’ efforts and request U.S. Congress to reinstate the Essential Air Service or further look into the Alternate Essential Air Service subsidy being administered by U.S. Department of Transportation.
Hofschneider always wants a continued discussion on ways to remove the applicability of the cabotage restrictions.
He said this will enable non-U.S. air carriers that's servicing the CNMI the last few years to hopefully provide options for a lower airfare between the CNMI, Guam, and the rest of the islands in this side of the Pacific.
In his 2024 State of the Commonwealth Address, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios briefly touched on federal aviation restrictions—commonly referred to as the "cabotage issue”—when discussing the broader efforts to diversify the Commonwealth's economy and improve connectivity across the islands.
While he did not explicitly name cabotage, the governor emphasized his administration’s advocacy for essential air services and a potential waiver for certain federal regulations that hinder regional air access. These statements align with longstanding calls by CNMI leaders to amend or seek exemptions from the U.S. cabotage laws, which restrict foreign carriers from operating domestic routes between U.S. territories like Guam and the CNMI.
Palacios said he has "actively advocated for potential cabotage waiver, essential air services," among other federal priorities, during meetings with the Interagency Group on Insular Areas and in discussions with congressional leaders. His comments suggest a renewed effort to improve inter-island and regional air transportation, particularly given the CNMI’s heavy dependence on air access for tourism and economic recovery.
And speaking of King-Hinds, the first-term congresswoman has introduced H.R. 2132, a bill seeking to restore the aforementioned EAS eligibility to CNMI airports—Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
The EAS program, created under the 1978 Airline Deregulation Act, ensures continued air service to small and rural U.S. communities. CNMI was originally eligible and briefly received subsidies in the 1980s, but lost eligibility under the 2012 FAA Modernization and Reform Act due to a lack of active EAS-subsidized routes at the time.
King-Hinds’ bill would add CNMI to the list of exemptions alongside Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico—allowing the islands to regain access to federal subsidies. If passed, this would help guarantee regular, affordable air service, including up to two round-trip flights per day even if current carriers pull out.
She emphasized the high cost of inter-island and Guam travel and warned that without EAS, CNMI risks losing vital air links. She said this bill is part of broader efforts to improve transportation and federal support for the islands.
Marianas Press made a quick check of Saipan-Guam ticket prices and a quote for a roundtrip trip from CWM Travel International has it at $420 for the 45-minute flight leaving on June 8, 8 am, and returning on June 12, 8:45 am.
MP also reached out to Propst for additional comments and United Airlines to answer Propst’s allegations. No answer was received as of press time.
By Mark Rabago
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