H.R. 1536: Pacific Island Flight Alternatives Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Pacific Island Flight Alternatives Act of 2025, aims to modify existing regulations regarding air travel in the Pacific region, specifically affecting Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Below is a summary of the key points of the bill:

Short Title

The bill may be referred to as the Pacific Island Flight Alternatives Act of 2025 or PIFAA.

Findings

The bill begins with a set of findings by Congress, which states that:

• Air travel competition is limited, leading to very high flight costs from Guam to the Northern Mariana Islands and Hawaii.
• Airports in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands need foreign air carriers to help facilitate air travel.
• Japan, the Philippines, and the Republic of Korea are important allies of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Air carriers from these countries help meet the air travel needs between the United States and various Pacific Islands.

Changes to Air Commerce Regulations

The bill proposes changes to section 41703 of title 49 of the United States Code regarding air commerce in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. The main points include:

• It specifies that passengers and cargo added or removed from an authorized foreign aircraft in Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands while traveling from a U.S. location to a destination outside the country will not be considered as interrupting the journey of that aircraft.
• The term "authorized Pacific aircraft" refers to aircraft registered to foreign air carriers from Japan, the Philippines, or the Republic of Korea that have the necessary permits to operate under U.S. regulations.

This means that these foreign air carriers will be allowed to stop in Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands during their flights without interrupting the continuity of their international service. The intent behind this is to enhance air travel options and potentially lower costs for passengers traveling between the U.S. and Pacific destinations.

Impact on Air Travel

The primary effect of the bill is to potentially increase the number of flight options available for travelers and shippers moving between the U.S. and Pacific Islands by allowing more flexibility for foreign carriers. This could improve travel efficiency and possibly reduce ticket prices due to increased competition.

Relevant Companies

• JAL (Japan Airlines): As a major airline in Japan, JAL could see increased opportunities to operate routes that include stops in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, thus enhancing their service offerings in the region.
• Philippine Airlines (PAL): Similar to JAL, PAL may benefit from more flexible operational capabilities which could lead to expanded routes and potentially increased passenger traffic.
• KAL (Korean Air): Korean Air, as a significant player in the region, could leverage this change to increase their flight offerings to and from Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.