Private jet to the Northern Mariana Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands are a commonwealth in political union with the United States, a chain of fourteen main islands north of Guam of which three are inhabited: Saipan, Tinian and Rota. About 47,000 people live there, most of them on Saipan. A private jet from Europe lands at Saipan International, which has a 2,652 m runway, customs and immigration and prior permission for every flight; Tinian and Rota are short hops further on.

Visitors to the Northern Mariana Islands come mainly from South Korea, China and Japan, for the beaches of Saipan's west coast, diving at the Grotto and the island of Managaha. European clients usually come for the Second World War sites on Saipan and Tinian, for diving, or on business that also takes them to Guam. European operators route around closed and restricted airspace, so the trip needs one stop in an ultra long range jet and two in a heavy jet.

Tell us which islands you want to see and how long you plan to stay, and we propose the aircraft and the stops for the long sector.

Why charter to Saipan

Prices to the Northern Mariana Islands

Prices cover the whole jet on a one-way flight from a base near the departure airport, before handling, landing, permits and passenger taxes. Flight times follow the first priced aircraft, with fuel stops. Distances follow a routing around closed airspace.

From Europe to Saipan

Of the European hubs, Larnaca is the closest to the Northern Mariana Islands at 13,152 km and costs EUR 170,000 in a Challenger 650 with two stops. From London, Paris, Geneva or Milan the same aircraft costs EUR 185,000 for 20:22 to 20:34 h. A Falcon 7X with one stop costs EUR 225,000 from London. The Global 7500 costs EUR 250,000 and takes 17:56 h from London, against 20:22 h for the two-stop option.

Departure taxes: the French solidarity tax on business jets increases with distance and reaches about EUR 2,100 per passenger on this trip, against about EUR 420 within Europe; Italy takes EUR 200 a passenger on sectors over 1,500 km, leaving or arriving. A departure from Austria adds EUR 12 per passenger; German, Dutch (aircraft of 5.7 t or more) and UK taxes are shown in the quote. United States fees and airport charges on Saipan are listed as well.

Business jet price per flight hour

Heavy Jets from EUR 8,300 / hour

Light Jets from EUR 3,200 / hour

Ultra Long Range Jets from EUR 12,000 / hour

Super Midsize Jets from EUR 6,300 / hour

Very Light Jets from EUR 2,500 / hour

Long Range Jets from EUR 9,800 / hour

Midsize Jets from EUR 4,500 / hour

Turboprops from EUR 2,000 / hour

From Guam and East Asia

Tokyo is the cheapest Asian departure at EUR 19,000 in a Phenom 300, 3:38 h. Manila and Taipei cost EUR 21,000 in the same jet. Seoul Incheon (EUR 35,000) and Hong Kong (EUR 37,000) are priced only in a Challenger 350, as the smaller jets would lack a fuel reserve over the sea.

Guam - Saipan is a 47-minute flight at EUR 9,000 in a Phenom 300, but it is a domestic sector inside United States territory. A foreign aircraft may fly such a leg only with the passengers it brought from abroad or takes abroad, and the leg needs a permit to proceed; any guest who joins in the Marianas flies with a US operator, which we book for that sector. Few US operators keep aircraft in the islands.

Between the islands

Saipan - Rota costs EUR 6,500 in a Pilatus PC-12, 44 minutes. Hops to Tinian take a few minutes and are flown by local commuter operators with small piston and turboprop aircraft, so the price is set per trip. Inter-island sectors are domestic as well, so a local hop is flown by a US operator; the table shows the price level, and availability is confirmed for the date.

A trip worked through

Price per person

The share per seat on the long sector:

Calculator

Use the calculator for an indicative price and add the islands you want to visit in the comment.

Airports of the Northern Mariana Islands

From the apron at Saipan it is about 20 minutes by car to the hotels of Garapan on the west coast. Traffic drives on the right, and cars with drivers are booked together with the flight.

Aircraft for the Marianas

• For the long sector from Europe: an ultra long range jet such as the Global 7500 or the Falcon 7X, one stop.
• For the lowest price from Europe: a heavy jet such as the Challenger 650, two stops.
• From Tokyo, Manila or Taipei: a Phenom 300 or a Citation XLS+.
• From Seoul or Hong Kong: a Challenger 350 with a better range reserve.
• Between the islands: a turboprop such as the Pilatus PC-12, or the small aircraft of local operators.

Leave your number for a call about stops, permits and the islands.

When to go

In the Northern Mariana Islands December to June is the dry season, with steady trade winds and the best conditions for diving and beaches. July to November is the rainy season and brings typhoons, so the return date stays flexible and the crew plans a distant alternate. Empty Legs are rare: the most likely are long-range jets leaving the islands empty after a delivery, or aircraft repositioning to Guam, Tokyo or Seoul.

Entry, customs and status

Passports should be valid for six months. Guam - Saipan flights clear customs at both ends, because each has its own service. Returning to Europe, passport and customs checks happen at the first Schengen or UK stop; a flight into the UK files a General Aviation Report in advance.

Pets

The Northern Mariana Islands are free of rabies. The Division of Agriculture issues an entry permit for each dog or cat, valid for 60 days, with a fee of 50 US dollars for a neutered animal and 500 for an unneutered one, and wants the papers at least 14 days before arrival. The file includes two rabies vaccinations, an ISO microchip, a rabies antibody test from a laboratory approved by the US CDC, parasite treatment within 14 days of arrival and a health certificate issued within ten days of travel. Animals from places other than Hawaii, Guam and Japan wait 120 days after the blood test, and an animal from abroad is decided case by case, so we book only after the division confirms in writing. With the operator's prior approval the animal flies in the cabin, not in a hold.

Empty Legs

Empty Legs to the Northern Mariana Islands are rare. A jet that has brought a party from Europe usually flies home empty, and the return leg can be offered on that date; regional legs to Guam, Tokyo or Seoul turn up more often. Send your route and flexible dates to empty-legs@jets.flights.

Booking steps

1. Send the dates, names, nationalities and the islands you want to visit.
2. We pick the aircraft and the stops and check the operator's status for ESTA travellers.
3. You receive a quote with the operator, the aircraft, the routing and each fee.
4. After signature the operator requests prior permission and overflight clearances, and we agree customs cover for each island.
5. Before departure you receive the schedule, the handler's contacts and the travel authorisation checklist.

Questions about flights to the Northern Mariana Islands

• • What does a private jet from Europe to Saipan cost?

  • From EUR 170,000 one way from Larnaca in a Challenger 650 with two stops; EUR 185,000 from London. A Global 7500 from London costs EUR 250,000 with one stop.

• • How long is the flight?

  • From London 17:56 h in a Global 7500 including one fuel stop, and 20:22 h in a Challenger 650 with two stops.

• • Which airport do business jets use?

  • Saipan International, with a 2,652 m runway, customs and prior permission for every flight. Tinian and Rota are reached afterwards with a local aircraft.

• • Do I need a visa?

  • EU citizens usually travel with ESTA, provided the operator is a signatory of the Visa Waiver Program, or with a US visa. UK citizens can also use the Guam-CNMI waiver for up to 45 days.

• • Can we fly on to Guam?

  • Yes, with the same passengers who arrived on it from abroad and a permit to proceed for the leg. Guests who join in Saipan travel with a US operator. Both islands clear customs separately.

• • Is there a business aviation terminal?

  • There is no FBO at Saipan. Passengers clear in the terminal, and handling, catering and transport are booked in advance through local agents.

• • Can my dog come?

  • Only with a Division of Agriculture permit, a rabies antibody test and a waiting period, decided case by case for animals from abroad. Start the preparations several months ahead.

• • When is the weather most reliable?

  • December to June, the dry season. July to November brings rain and typhoons, so plan flexible dates then.