Hong Kong Airlines suspends Hong Kong–Saipan through 30 December (EVS-TAP pause)

Hong Kong Airlines is suspending its Hong Kong–Saipan flights from 1 November through 30 December 2026, after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security paused the EVS-TAP programme that had let pre-screened Chinese nationals visit the CNMI visa-free. Saipan station manager Joan Boongaling confirmed the temporary pull to Marianas Variety on Saturday — and did not say whether the carrier plans to resume after 30 December.

That hits close to home for me. I spent 48 hours in Saipan in March 2019 on Hong Kong Express, and it went straight onto my “go back to” list. White-sand beaches in Garapan, a Sirena Blonde at sunset, Banzai Cliff and the Grotto up north — the island felt far more Mediterranean than “American territory,” and I left wanting another trip. When the nonstop from Hong Kong thins out or disappears, that easy Pacific escape gets a lot harder from here.

What EVS-TAP was — and why it matters to the route

EVS-TAP (Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program) took effect in 2025 and allowed pre-screened Chinese nationals into the CNMI without a U.S. visa for up to 14 days. DHS announced the suspension in the Federal Register on 27 October, citing national security, immigration and law-enforcement concerns. It took effect at 2 p.m. EDT on 30 October — 4 a.m. on 31 October, CNMI time. New applications and previously approved authorisations are both covered; travellers already admitted can stay until their authorised period ends, but other Chinese visitors now need a regular U.S. visa.

Hong Kong Airlines has been one of the few international carriers still serving the CNMI, and the Saipan route has functioned as a gateway for travellers from mainland China and other Asian markets connecting via Hong Kong. Pull the Chinese-visitor pipeline and the economics of a thin A320 service get ugly fast — which is exactly what happened once before.

We’ve seen this movie

Hong Kong Airlines also suspended Saipan in May 2025 during an earlier EVS-TAP processing halt. The route has a longer stop-start history too: HX launched Hong Kong–Saipan back in 2016, paused for the pandemic, returned in 2024, and has been running a seasonal two-weekly A320 pattern (typically Thursday/Sunday outbound) when demand supports it. This latest window — 1 Nov to 30 Dec — lands right across the winter holiday travel period for CNMI tourism.

CNMI tourism and business leaders told Marianas Variety the suspension could cost more than Chinese arrivals alone. China made up more than 20% of CNMI arrivals in FY2026 by one MVA estimate; August figures cited by the Saipan Chamber put Chinese visitors at about 32% of that month’s arrivals. Leaders also warn that if connecting traffic via Seoul softens, Korean carriers’ Saipan frequencies could feel it too. For a destination that recently counted only about nine international flights a week, losing the Hong Kong metal is a real blow.

What it means if you’re planning from Hong Kong

• 1 November–30 December 2026 — Hong Kong Airlines HKG–SPN suspended (confirmed by Saipan station manager)
• After 30 December — resumption not confirmed
• EVS-TAP — paused by DHS from ~31 Oct CNMI time; Chinese visitors need a regular U.S. visa again
• Source: Marianas Variety, 31 Oct 2026

If you already hold HX tickets in that window, expect reprotection or refunds through the airline’s usual disruption channels — check your booking before you show up at the airport. Alternative paths into Saipan from this part of Asia still tend to run via Seoul or other Asian hubs, with longer elapsed times and more visa friction for some passport holders.

I’ll keep watching for any HX statement on a January restart. Saipan earned its place on my go-back list after that short 2019 hop — see my exploring Saipan, GrandVrio, and HK Express flight review if you want the full trip report — and I’d rather write the “flights are back” follow-up than another suspension note.