Hawaiian Airlines would neither confirm or deny a meeting with Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, saying that the Honolulu-based carrier does not publicly discuss private business meetings.

Radio New Zealand International reported on Monday this week that Tuilaepa was in Honolulu this past weekend with a two-member delegation to meet with Hawaiian’s chief executive officer to discuss air service between Apia and Honolulu.

Responding to Samoa News questions about the meeting, and some of the issues expected to be discussed, Hawaiian spokesman Keoni Wagner replied via e-mail from Honolulu on Monday afternoon, “...unless we have something to announce, Hawaiian doesn’t publicly discuss private business meetings it may or may not be having.”

Several years ago, the airline stopped flights between Honolulu and Apia. The flight itinerary had a stopover in Pago Pago.

Passengers now traveling between Honolulu and Apia have two options: transit through Pago Pago to and from Honolulu; or a direct weekly air service between Honolulu and Apia on Fiji’s national carrier, Air Pacific.

Meanwhile, travelers are reminded that Hawaiian is operating a third weekly flight between Pago Pago and Honolulu from June 19 till Aug. 21, arriving and departing Pago Pago International Airport in the evening hours — similar to the current schedule on Thursdays and Mondays.

The extra incoming flight number is 1465 and the outbound is 1466. The third flight is added to accommodate the busy summer travel months.

In addition to the extra section for the summer, the flight on Thursdays will operate on Fridays instead, from Jun. 21 to Aug. 22.

Samoa News reporter Fili Sagapolutele contributed to this report.