By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Sen. Jesse Lujan has introduced a resolution, requesting the U.S. Transportation to authorize a temporary two-year exemption from federal regulations to allow the expansion of cargo and passenger flexibility at the A.B. Won Pat International Airport Authority.
The resolution seeks to allow certain foreign air carriers to stop in Guam during the transportation of passengers or cargo between the United States and other international destinations.
“By expanding cargo and passenger flexibility at our international airport, we can reduce travel costs for our residents and visitors, foster economic growth, and strengthen our ties with key allies in the Indo-Pacific region,” stated Senator Lujan.
Lujan noted that Puerto Rico has been successful in receiving an air passenger and cargo flexibility exemption from the DOT.
“It is abundantly clear that Guam’s strategic position, economic dependencies, and unique challenges closely mirror those of Puerto Rico," Lujan said.
"Just as the DOT exemption has been instrumental in fostering economic growth and connectivity for Puerto Rico, granting the same exemption to Guam would provide comparable benefits,” he added.
The resolution requests a two-year exemption to transfer cargo and passengers between aircraft, change aircraft, mix international and domestic cargo and passengers, transfer cargo and passengers to/from U.S. and foreign carriers at Guam. and transfer cargo and passengers between foreign carriers.
“In consideration of the military buildup and the negative impacts of COVID-19 pandemic and Typhoon Mawar on our tourism industry, now is the time to once again address air passenger and car flexibility for our island," Lujan said.
"Guam and Puerto Rico share several critical similarities that justify granting Guam the same exemption from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for air passenger and cargo transfers at its international airport.” he added.
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