People on the Northern Marianas island of Rota are delighted that local airline Star Marianas Air will increase flights to the island.
Star Marianas Air Piper Cherokee Photo: Xu Zheng
The Tinian-based inter-island carrier's move comes over a year after United Airlines' codeshare partner, Cape Air, stopped servicing Rota.
Star Marianas Air has announced it will add more seats between Saipan and Rota, and Guam and Rota beginning this week.
Rota Senators Paul Manglona and Teresita Santos have applauded the addition.
Mr Maglona says people experienced hardship after Cape Air stopped flights to Rota in 2018.
Residents of the island have had to make do with irregular services and charter flights to get to Saipan and Guam.
This has affected people needing healthcare on Saipan, Guam, the Philippines and the US mainland.