Saipan International Airport

The only international airport on the Northern Mariana Islands was constructed on a former southeast Saipan sugar cane field during WWII. Only 18 percent of this airport’s nearly 40,000 aircraft operations in 2005 were scheduled commercial flights. Travel between the Northern Mariana Islands forms a large percentage of this airport’s operations. Flights between Saipan and Rota last about half an hour, while flights from Saipan to Tinian take just 12 minutes. As there are no direct flights between the continental United States and this airport, all North American passengers must first fly to airports in China, Japan, South Korea, or Guam. This small airport’s amenities include restaurants, a duty free shop, wireless internet access, tourist information booths, an ATM, and even a massage booth.

Hertz, Budget, Alamo, and National representatives stand alongside three local car rental companies at Saipan International Airport. Privately owned shuttle buses and taxis also travel regularly between several Saipan hotels and the airport.