Samoa Airways seeks renewal of cabotage exemption

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Apia-based, Polynesian Limited d/b/a Samoa Airways on July 12 filed with the U.S. Transportation Department (USDOT) a request for renewal of its cabotage exemption to continue flight operations between Tutuila and the Manu’a island group.

According to the Samoa government owned airline, the current exemption expires July 26 and without renewal of this exemption, Samoa Airways will be forced to suspend all service linking the Manu’a Islands with Tutuila.

Samoa Airways remains one of the only carriers willing and able to transport passengers and cargo between Pago Pago and the Manu’a Islands, according to the airline’s request submitted by it’s Washington D.C. based attorneys.

In the past six months, Samoa Airways said it operated approximately 60 round trip and 21-way flights transporting more than 1,700 passengers — in addition to more than 50 passengers who required medical evacuation on 9 flights — using their Twin Otter aircraft.

Samoa Airways requested continued cabotage service of about six months, through Jan. 23, 2023. It notes that Samoa Airways’ service for the Manu’a islands is fully supported by the American Samoa government, which has previously submitted letters confirming the need for the service.

The USDOT decision is pending but expected before the current exemption expires.