by Nick Delgado

Guam - The first official United Airlines flight on Guam departed nonstop to Okinawa on Wednesday evening. A special ceremony was held at the Guam International Airport for the inaugural flight. United Airlines managing director for Micronesia and Southeast Asia, Barry Bergmann says there were one hundred passengers on board, adding the new route will contribute to the tourism market.

"For every $125 a tourist brings in, that's tax revenue for Guam," said Bergmann. "Okinawa is the same way they are going to benefit from the flow of traffic that goes through the hub because Guam is a key hub for United-Continental here."

He says the airline will have four roundtrip flights to Okinawa weekly. United Airlines simultaneously launched a double-mile campaign for One Pass members taking this flight.