In less than 24 hours the inaugural Narita-to-Saipan flight operated by United will be landing. The new route comes as the CNMI government wants to resurrect the Japanese tourism market. United’s Boeing 737 with 166 seats is expected to land at 2am Friday with a festive welcome for the first passengers on the direct route.

United operates at least 28 flights a week now from four major Japanese cities. Local travelers now also have a connection to the U.S, Asia, and beyond.