Polynesian Limited, trading as Samoa Airways (OL, Apia Faleolo), has asked the US Department of Transport (DOT) to renew its exemption from the provisions of 49 USC 40109(g) and 41703(c) that will allow it to continue transporting persons, property and mail between Pago Pago in American Samoa and the Manu’a Islands, also part of American Samoa. The current authority expires on January 11, 2025, and without a renewal, Samoa Airways will be obliged to end its existing service.
The Manu’a Islands consist of three islands, Ofu and Olosega (joined by a bridge) and Tau, located around 100 kilometres east of Pago Pago on Tutuila Island. Since American Samoa is a territory of the United States, connections between those islands are considered domestic flights despite the vast distance from any other US airport.
As per 49 USC 40109(g), the DOT may authorise a foreign air carrier to transport commercial traffic between US points under limited circumstances, specifically where no US carrier can do so and maintaining flights is in the public interest. The filing notes that the DOT has previously found that Samoa Airways’ cabotage flights between Pago Pago and the Manu’a Islands meet those requirements. There are no active scheduled operators based in American Samoa, although there are some prospects of one, Pago Wings (Pago Pago), launching in 2025.
The airline says that issuing another one-year renewal of the existing authority will avoid the need to file duplicate applications. The DOT has been issuing renewals every six months since the start of 2019. Past DOT renewals obliged Samoa Airways to vacate the route within five days of a US operator commencing services. Samoa Airways says there is currently no local operator capable of filling the void, and the American Samoan government has asked them to continue flights "to prevent American Samoan residents from being left with little or no air service."
According to ch-aviation schedules data, Samoa Airways currently operates twice-weekly roundtrips between Pago Pago and Ofu using 19-seater DHC-6-300s. The filing says if the DOT renews the exemption, Samoa Airways will continue to operate multiple weekly flights depending on the needs of island residents and shippers and aircraft availability. They will also continue to operate medical evacuation and other emergency flights as needed.