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AMERICAN SAMOA TOURISM SUFFERING FROM HAWAIIAN AIRLINE’S MONOPOLY

American Samoa, a US territory in the Pacific Ocean and a 5 1/2-hour flight from Honolulu, Hawaii, may have an opportunity to beef up its hurting economy. Through the global travel and tourism industry, there is a huge opportunity to increase visitors to this American destination of tropical islands in the warm South Pacific. The tourism industry in the neighboring country of Samoa is booming, while American Samoa has a huge problem. The one airline that flies to American Samoa - Hawaiian Airlines – is making this so challenging, that it is close to impossible. Currently the only air link from this isolated US territory to Hawaii and the US mainland operates only twice a week.Hawaiian Airlines is the only US carrier flying to this remote region of the United States. Only US flag carriers are allowed to transport passengers between various US airports. While this may be a protection for airlines on the US mainland, applying this to a remote region thousands of miles away from the rest of the country creates a monopoly. For Hawaiian Airlines, this may be a treat, but it’s sheer frustration for travelers and for American Samoa tourism. Calling it selfish, American Samoa officials, including an office staff member for the newly-appointed Republican US Congresswoman, Radewagan Amatavoiced, voiced frustration with the monopoly enjoyed by Hawaiian Airlines, according to comments made to eTN.Hawaiian Airlines spokesperson Ann Boticelli thinks it is very important point out that any US carrier can provide service between Pago Pago and another US city. She said, \We are currently the only carrier that has elected to do so