Inter-Island Airways resumes flights to Samoa, Manu’a Sunday November 29, 2009
By Fili Sagapolutele fili@samoanews.com

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Inter Island Airways resumed flying inter- Samoa flights Friday afternoon, while Manu’a flights were expected to resume Saturaday, according to an airline official.

The locally based carrier suspended flights last weekend as its fleet underwent required maintenance upgrade and paperwork requirements by the Federal Aviation Administration.

By early Friday afternoon, the FAA gave the green light and Inter Island’s first flight was at 3 p.m. with a full flight, with more passengers trying to get to Samoa for the weekend.

The airline was also working Friday to set up flights Saturday for Manu’a. The local government’s Segaula aircraft had carried out some flights to Manu’a but due to bad weather on Thursday (Thanksgiving) the Segaula didn’t operate to Ofu, prompting calls of complaints Friday morning to Samoa News.

It wasn’t immediately clear if there were any Segaula flights Friday afternoon.

The Inter Island official also said Friday that it shared seats this week with Polynesian Airlines, the twin-otter 19-seat aircraft that belongs to the Samoa government owned airline.

The Samoa Observer newspaper first reported on Thursday that the two carriers serving the inter-Samoa route were using Polynesian’s 19-seat twin otter aircraft, named ‘Gogo’.

According to the Apia-based newspaper Polynesian’s other aircraft, also a twin otter, this one named Gillian, is grounded with engine problems.

The Inter Island official said they had chartered a couple of flights using Polynesian’s aircraft for inter Samoa flights operating in and out of Faleolo International Airport— and they were usually at night or early morning.

For example, Inter Island operated a flight Friday before 6 a.m. and had worked with Polynesian on additional flights when needed or when the Polynesian plane was available.

“Inter Island Air is extremely grateful to Polynesian Airlines for their tremendous support and help at this time when there are so many passengers traveling the inter Samoa route,” said the Inter Island official. “Polynesian’s professionalism and assistance is applauded as they— like us— have one goal in mind, which is to help the traveling public.”

The official also commended the great support from Polynesian’s chief executive officer Taua Fatu Tielu, “who we thank so much for all his help.”

When Polynesian’s aircraft was down last week, it chartered the Inter Island aircraft.

Samoa News understands that the inter Samoa traffic has been busy because this is Thanksgiving week and school was out both Thursday and Friday.
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Comments to this story (4)
Complaints, complains without any business and economic facts  wrote:
08 Dec 2009 03:40 PM
I want to reply to Mr. "Fix the Problem". It sounds like Mr. Fix does not understand the complexities of the airline business, and guidelines and rules with which airlines need to operate under. Inter Island Airways operates under the most strict guidelines prescribed by the FAA - the top aviation authority in the world - of which many other country civil aviation authorities take advise and build there aviation programs around. In this very harsh south pacific environment, it is not easy to operate an airline, especially given the cost to operate and the margins they produce. In the typical airline industry, the profit margins are at best, 3%. That is, if you're able to at least fill a minimum 0f 75% of your aircraft and you have good yields. If airfares are low, the airline does not make money. If aircraft parts are expensive and hard to find, the airlines does not make money. If fuel prices go up, the airline does not make money. It's basic and simple economics. That is one reason why airlines do not last long in Samoa. And, since 9/11, airlines have had to operate and survive under more stringent requirements. Why do I know this? Because I use to work for an airline in the US and know all the difficulties of running such an operation. My airline eventually was acquired by a German airline outfit, gutted, and now exist is a stripped down version. It lost over $3B last 2 year in the US operations alone. So before Mr. "Fix It" speaks to quickly, I would make sure he fully understands what it takes to run an airline. It's not like running a hamburger joint, nor a simple store. It is one of the most complex business to operate and run today. Look around you. SPEX is not longer in existence. Airlines in Tonga (Royal Tongan) and Fiji (Air Fiji) have gone under. We have a history of other past airlines in Samoa (SPIA, Samoa Air, etc.). So before Mr. "Fix it" speaks too quickly, please make sure you understand what it takes to operate an airline. Since Inter Island Air is not a public airline, not a government airline, and does not receive federal funding or supplements, the risk of operations is all on the Sene Family, not the people of Manu'a nor the People of the Samoas. As for service, it would be best if the Manu'a people help support that airline by improving their airport facilities, and making sure people don't ruin the airplanes that service their islands. Since we tend to think of "entitlements" as a given for American Samoans, we don't know what it takes to work hard, take pride in things we do, and support the only air service lifeline there is to support the Manu'a islands - and that is Inter Island Airways. I don't have any connections to this airline only that I know the Sene Family and they work hard to keep the airline flying, never having any time to enjoy life with me and my family on the weekends when I invite them. I give them a lot of credit for their Tautua and dedication for which the late Mrs. Fa'aletino "Malepeai" Sene wanted to have an airline for the Manu'a people. She was born in Olosega and was a true Manu'a in heart.
Justice  wrote:
04 Dec 2009 08:01 AM
to Fix the Problem..Inter Island has tried its best to serve our island..it is the only aircraft that flies to Manu'a and it is has the cheapest airfare..so we should all be grateful for that..to the Sene Family and the Inter Island employees, do what you have to do..keep up the good work!
James and Meleagi  wrote:
30 Nov 2009 07:50 AM
We at Chapmans Reef in the Village of Fitiuta, Ta'u Manu'a, commend all the employees of Inter Island Vacations and Airways. They have done their very best to keep our transportation needs working. A Happy Holidays to all of them-Many thanks always!
Fix the Problem  wrote:
30 Nov 2009 06:02 AM
Why has this problem never been fixed? How long do we put up with lousy services and planes that do not fly for whatever reason? There should be a penalty clause to assure we get SERVICE damn it from these aircraft owners and excuse mongers of airlines. If you incapable of assuring the flying public service for heavens sake, find another vocation damn it!