Polynesian Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Seiuli Alvin Tuala says the airline’s fare increase is slight and necessary to cover the high maintenance costs and other ancillary costs. The CEO was responding to Samoa News queries following multiple calls from disgruntled customers who were complaining about the increase in the airfares, which were initially between $140-$160 and now is $175.

According to the CEO, Polynesian’s fares have remained constant for over a 12-month period despite increasing operational costs.

“As a business, the law of supply and demand is very much evident here – high demand / high prices/fares.”

Seiuli told Samoa News that all the major airlines such into Samoa and Hawaiian Air into American Samoa operate on this basic business principle and offer very high fares for the inbound sector into Samoa and American Samoa and low fares on the outbound sector (from Samoa and American Samoa) to fill up empty seats as all airlines put on additional capacity to accommodate the high demand for seats during Christmas and New Year.

“To put things into perspective, Polynesian normally operates a total of 57 scheduled flights on a monthly basis.

However, for December 2014, Polynesian is operating a total of 306 flights to accommodate demand for travel between the two Samoa’s during the festive holidays. Seiuli told Samoa News that in order to cover the high maintenance costs and other ancillary costs Polynesian Airlines has to make a “slight increase” on the fares.

“These fares are again reduced after January and February. I hope this clarifies the increase.” He said, however they are always trying to keep fares down despite other airlines increasing their fares.

“We ask for the public to see from our perspective as a business we need to cover our costs so that we can continue to provide the services for our people in the two Samoas.”