To reduce the “empty seat risk” on Hawaiian Airlines flights, the federally funded air transport market study has recommended that the American Samoa Government help facilitate connections in Pago Pago between Hawaiian and Polynesian Airlines flights.

Additionally, a plan should be developed for a transit lounge which would provide Pago Pago International Airport connection capability that could also be attractive to airlines from other island countries as a transit point.

Contracted to UBM Aviation-ASM or Airport Strategy Marketing Limited, the study covers several air transport issues, which include facilitating connections at Pago Pago airport based initially on the proposal for Polynesian to operate flights out of Faleolo International Airport (in Samoa) timed to connect with Hawaiian’s flights to and from Honolulu.

“The ASG can reduce the empty-seat risk by facilitating connections between Hawaiian and Polynesian, which will increase traffic year round,” the study says, adding that increased passenger volume between Pago Pago and Apia will strengthen the airlines, which will generate increased revenue and be able to improve their services.

As reported by Samoa News last Friday, the study revealed that Hawaiian passenger load factor (PLF or occupancy) on the Pago Pago route shows that in each year between 2000 and 2013, the passenger load was below the 80% mark, which the study says is “not high enough to please airline planners”, but is profitable due to the high fares Hawaiian Air is charging.

Hawaiian currently operates year-round flights twice weekly between Pago Pago and Honolulu, with a third weekly flight during the busy time, such as the summer months.

Polynesian launched early last month flights between Faleolo International Airport and American Samoa, with daily flights except on Fridays. The airline said at at the time that this service will cater mainly to transit passengers traveling to and from American Samoa that have connected out of Faleolo International Airport from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Hawaii.

According to the study, connections would  require a transit lounge at the [Pago Pago] airport and rules should be changed to allow connecting passengers to bypass customs and immigration processing between flights.

At the same time, ASG needs to continue efforts to bring Hawaiian and Polynesian together in a marketing and sales arrangement to use the transit capability, it says, and noted that Polynesian’s new chief executive officer Seiuli Alvina Tuala, who took over the post last year, has served as an assistant attorney general in American Samoa, which should improve progress on this project.

The study also says that ASG Commerce Department director, Keniseli Lafaele, has reported that his contact with Seiuli indicates a continued interest in connecting Pago Pago with Hawaiian.

According to the study, there had been reports that Polynesian was looking at acquiring a larger 46-seater aircraft with sufficient range for nonstop Pago Pago- Nuku’alofa,Tonga flights. “ASG should inquire about Polynesian’s plans and provide whatever assistance or persuasion is required to convince the airline to operate between Apia and Nuku’alofa with a stop in Pago,” the study says.

The study also points out that flights to and from other island nations in the region might be able to use the transfer capability if their schedules meet the Honolulu flights, but they will need provisions as well for 72-hour or 96-hour stopover transit without visa. “This process is common for connecting airports around the world and particularly needed in Pago Pago because of limited schedules,” it says.

It also says that a new grant application should be considered for development of a transit facility at Pago Pago airport for automation to facilitate immigration clearance. It suggested that ASG look at the Small Community Air Service Development Program to submit a grant application.