United Airlines has indefinitely suspended service to Majuro on the Marshall Islands, blaming airport infrastructure problems. Majuro’s dilapidated airport is falling apart and ridden with termite damage, as one United employee found out the hard way.
United Airlines Suspends Service To Majuro, Blaming Airport Safety Concerns
Two years ago, an engineering report warned that the roof of Majuro’s main airport terminal at Amata Kabua International Airport was at “high risk” for collapse. The report went ignored, primarily because the island nation, which relies upon the U.S. and other nations for economic support, had no funding to repair it.
Majuro is connected to the outside world by United Airlines, whose “Island Hopper” Boeing 737 service provides vital supplies, mail, and passenger transport. The Island Hopper connects Guam and Honolulu with stops in the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands.
> Read More: Fond Memories Of United Airlines’ Island Hopper
Last November, United Airlines was forced to vacate its office at the airport when an employee fell through the terminate-damaged second floor. United has asked officials for months to address the structural integrity of the building in order to protect passengers and employees.
With no action taken, United reached out to airport authorities on Tuesday evening to let them know service would be suspended indefinitely.
An emergency meeting was held earlier today at Amata Kabua International Airport, which included the Marshall Islands’ Foreign Secretary and the United Airlines Station Manager.
Larry Hernandez, Acting CEO of the Port Authority, said the meeting went “well” and Salome Andrike, the United Station Manager, would take concerns and the plan for redress back to United.
Hernandez added that he did not blame United for its move, saying, “The safety of people is of the utmost importance.”
The Marshall Islands is now working toward addressing the terminate damage and finding a new office for United Airlines, though it is not clear how long that process will take.
I visited the Majuro on United in 2013 and did not notice any terminal damage:
CONCLUSION
United Airlines is suspending its long-running service to the Marshall Islands due to unsafe conditions at the airport; in this case the terminal building itself. While the flight suspension comes at a time during which passenger loads are at all-time lows, Majuro’s reliance upon United as the only mode of passenger transport will probably not keep the carrier away very long.
Does this impact island service to Kwajalein and the space launch facility at that location, I wonder?
No, service will continue to Kwajalein so the Marshall Islands are not totally cut off.
Majuro was the funnest airport on the island hopper in my opinion. Mostly because it was the only place you could actually buy food in the terminal.
Why can’t United just help them fix this (financially and logistically). They have the most to gain for it, and considering they probably consider themselves part of the Marshall Island community, they owe it to them.
Have always wanted to try the island hopper! Wish I tried it while the 777-300ER was flying to Guam, sad to see the domestic configured 777s are going back to Hawaii, such a bad product!
Yeah it seems to me United and the USGOV should just try to kick in the $$ for the new terminal. It’s a very simple building. The location will make it expensive but it’s worth it for all parties involved.
I wouldn’t say they’re that friendly since they wouldn’t stamp my passport!