Polynesian Airline’s chief executive officer Seiuli Alvin Tuala announced this week that early next year Polynesian will be re-launching air service between Upolu and Savai’i islands in Samoa as well as operating direct flights between Faleolo International Airport on Upolu and Pago Pago International Airport in American Samoa.

Seiuli said the airline’s move to acquire a third twin otter aircraft, which started commercial flights in September, was mainly to help improve service to the airline’s “core Pago Pago Pago market” and at the same time provide the airline with the opportunity to consider other additional routes as Savai’i and Manu’a islands.

The anticipated date to begin service between Upolu and Savai’i is Feb. 2, 2015 — with three flights a week - Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays — catering to business commuters and tourists who want to explore the natural beauty and attractions the Big Island of Savai’i has to offer.

Currently all travelers to Savai’i — including those from American Samoa — travel on a Samoa government passenger ferry out of Mulifanua wharf, which is close to Faleolo International Airport on Upolu island.

Polynesian currently provides daily air service to and from Pago Pago out of Maota airport on Upolu, which is near the country’s capital of Apia. However, beginning Feb. 1, the airline will also offer daily flights between Faleolo airport and Pago Pago, except on Fridays.

Seiuli said the Faleolo-Pago Pago service will cater mainly for transit passengers traveling to and from American Samoa that connect out of Faleolo from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Hawaii. “It will also serve our people residing on the Western side of Upolu who travel back and forth between the two Samoas,” he said.

Since American Samoa is Samoa’s third largest market in terms of tourist arrivals “and given the increasing number of quality resorts located on the western side of Upolu including some new tourist attractions such as the Whitesands Casino, we plan to build this route slowly to promote holiday travel from American Samoa,” he pointed out.

MANU’A FLIGHTS

With still no U.S. carrier to operate American Samoa’s domestic air service, the Samoa government-owned Polynesian Airlines has requested an additional 30-days to serve the Manu’a island group.

The current 30-day cabotage waiver expires Dec. 30, and on Wednesday this week, Polynesian — through the airline’s Washington D.C. law firm of Squire Patton Boggs LLP — requested approval for an additional thirty days of cabotage operations - through Jan. 30, 2015.

The airline pointed out that the Pago Pago-Manu’a Islands route remains without U.S. carrier service and Polynesian is the only air carrier able to provide much needed transportation between the two points and thus prevent severe hardship to American Samoa residents.

“There is a clear need for continued service for an additional thirty days,” according to the law firm’s request made through a letter, which was copied to the governor’s office.

Polynesian has been operating Manu’a service under an extended cabotage waiver since September this year, since locally based U.S. carrier Inter Island Airways’ plane has been down for several months due to engine problems.