Polynesian Airlines (Apia Fagali'i) has applied to the US Department of Transportation (DoT) for an emergency exemption to transport persons, property and mail between Pago Pago, American Samoa, and Fitiuta and Ofu airports in the Manu'a Islands, American Samoa, for a period of ninety days beginning September 1, 2014.
In its application, Polynesian says it was approached by the Government of American Samoa to provide the services after its operator, Inter Island Airways (Pago Pago), suspended the flights owing to a lack of serviceable equipment.
"It is clear that no U.S. carrier is able to provide Pago Pago-Manu’a Islands service, nor is one likely to be in a position to provide this service for several months. Inter Island Airways (“IIA”) (which is a U.S. carrier) had previously provided this service. However, Polynesian is advised IIA’s aircraft is out of service awaiting a replacement engine which will not arrive until sometime in October 2014," it argued. "As a result, there is no air service between Pago Pago and the Manu’a Islands, creating a severe hardship for residents."
Polynesian says it has agreed to the American Samoan Government’s request, and is prepared to begin operations as soon as the requisite permissions are in place.
Services will operate twice daily between Pago Pago and the Manu’a Islands on-board a DHC-6.
