KOLONIA, Pohnpei, FSM: September 18, 2024 – Acting Governor Francisco L. Ioanis welcomed officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) during a recent courtesy call. The FAA officials, Mr. Gordon Wong, Manager of the Honolulu District Office, Mr. Ryan Costello, and Mr. Paul Devoti from the FAA Tokyo Office, were accompanied by Port Authority (PPA) Airport Manager Mr. Ronald Reyes, FSM Assistant Secretary for Civil Aviation Mr. Glen Harris, and FSM Project Management Unit (PMU) Project Manager Mr. Robert Goodwin, along with their respective staff.
Acting Governor Ioanis expressed his appreciation for the visit, officially welcoming the FAA officials to Pohnpei. Mr. Wong highlighted that it had been some time since the FAA visited Pohnpei, stating that the visit was aimed at reconnecting and re-engaging with the Pohnpei State Government. He underscored the significance of ongoing collaboration to enhance airport infrastructure and operational capacity, acknowledging the importance of airport infrastructure to Pohnpei and the Federated States of Micronesia.
Discussions during the meeting covered various projects, including the Airport Improvement Plan, training, and capacity-building initiatives. Airport Manager Ronald Reyes thanked Acting Governor Ioanis and the administration for their support in endorsing these critical projects, which are vital to the development and safety of Pohnpei’s aviation sector.
Acting Governor Ioanis sought the FAA’s assistance in expediting the runway extension project, an essential development for Pohnpei’s airport. Mr. Goodwin also acknowledged the FAA’s support and provided insights into upcoming projects, including the resurfacing and lengthening of the runway. He noted that a feasibility study is required for this significant project, which is estimated to cost approximately $83 million to extend the runway by 2,000 feet at both ends.
The Acting Governor brought attention to the rising costs of airline travel, emphasizing the need for competition to make airfares more affordable. While acknowledging that the FAA primarily focuses on safety regulation, he expressed hope that the FAA could support efforts to attract additional carriers to improve the livelihood of Pohnpei’s residents. Mr. Wong noted that while the U.S. Department of Transportation is the relevant agency for this matter, he supported the idea of a collective effort to address these concerns.
Airport Manager Reyes also advocated for a systems plan for airports to enhance transparency and potentially attract another carrier to serve Pohnpei. Mr. Wong mentioned that this issue could be addressed at the regional and multilateral levels, to which Attorney General Belsip Mikel-Isom added that during the recent Micronesian Islands Forum, a resolution was signed to examine this issue as it affects all Micronesian nations.
This visit marks an essential step in strengthening the partnership between Pohnpei State and the FAA, ensuring the continued development and safety of the state’s aviation infrastructure.