Samoa Airways Tutuila and Manu’a flights extended for an additional 6 months

By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has approved Samoa Airways to continue its flight operations between Tutuila and Manu’a, extending the service for an additional 6 months. This extension is made possible by an exemption from the cabotage rule, which typically prohibits foreign airlines from operating direct flights between points within the United States. In its ruling, the USDOT determined that the ongoing lack of passenger service provided by U.S. carriers has created an emergency situation, stemming from unusual circumstances not commonly encountered in the ordinary course of business. As part of this decision, the USDOT stated, “We concluded that no U.S. carrier had aircraft available that could be used to conduct the operations at issue here.” This acknowledgment underscores the urgency of the situation and the necessity for continued air service to the region. Furthermore, the Department recognized that granting this authority is essential in preventing unreasonable hardship for the residents of American Samoa, who rely on these flights for connectivity and access. They also confirmed that Samoa Airways possesses the required qualifications to perform the proposed operations effectively. Consequently, the USDOT has approved Samoa Airways’ request to operate its intra-American Samoa air services for an additional 180 days, specifically from July 6, 2026, to January 1, 2027. This authorization remains valid until five days after a U.S. carrier initiates its own passenger operations on similar intra-American Samoa routes, whichever occurs first. Importantly, Samoa Airways indicated in its application that the American Samoa Government fully supports this request, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring that residents of American Samoa are not left without essential air service between the islands. This support from local authorities further highlights the critical nature of maintaining reliable air transportation in the region. Section: Local News Tags: SAMOA AIRWAYS
2026-07-10 18:09:06