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China Southern Airlines is now operating new service between Shanghai and Saipan in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.

The administrative center of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Saipan has attracted flocks of tourists each year with a plethora of historical and tourist resources. Since China Southern launched its first direct Guangzhou-Saipan service in 2000, Saipan has become one of the very first choices for Chinese vacationers to spend their holidays. To provide expanded flight options for passengers going to Saipan, China Southern has inaugurated direct Shanghai-Saipan service.

"Saipan has been a popular tourist attraction ever since it was opened to the world in the early 1960's. For more than three decades, many Chinese have made substantial financial investments in the manufacturing, entertainment and tourism industries in Saipan ," said Mr. Li Kun, Vice President , China Southern Airlines.

China Southern's average load factors of its Guangzhou-Saipan service was more than 95% and the airline is unable to meet the need of this thriving Chinese tourist market. Thus, a new route was needed to offer the passengers new travel opportunities to this island paradise.

"Previously, China Southern passengers heading for Saipan from this region had to transit via GuangZhou - resulting in long hours in the air, high cost and inevitable fatigue. Now with the launch of the new Shanghai-Saipan direct flight, its smooth sailing for passengers - and a major economic boon to both the Shanghai market as well as the Mariana Islands. Flight time for the new Shanghai-originating service is about five hours and considerably less time than transiting to Saipan through GuangZhou ," said Mr. Li.

He added that, "the launch of China Southern's new Saipan-Shanghai route will significantly enhance the development of the outbound travel market in this important region of East China ."

According to the Saipan Tourism Bureau, Chinese entering Saipan in 2003 outnumbered travelers from other major countries. From Saipan to Tinian Island, you can now find Chinese people just about everywhere. China has become one of the leading vacation markets the government of Saipan has focused on and is determined to develop. The Guangzhou-Saipan route opened by China Southern Airlines four years ago linked the two destinations for the first time and formed a solid foundation for future expansion.