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Talofa Airways still intends to begin flights to Manu'a despite recent delay

Talofa Airways plane
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Apia-based and independently owned Talofa Airways says in filings with the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) that it has not yet initiated air service between Tutuila and the Manu’a island group due to a delay in securing required local approvals from the American Samoa Government.

The airline made the claim in it’s Nov. 10th application to USDOT for renewal of exemption under federal cabotage law, to operate the territory’s domestic flights — along with Samoa Airways —  for an additional 180-days as stipulated under federal law.

Talofa Airways had applied in September and USDOT on Oct. 19 approved the exemption request for 30-days to operate two daily flights — Monday to Friday — between Tutuila and Fitiuta Airport on Ta’u island — from  Oct. 26 to Nov. 24th.

“Although Talofa Airways had planned to initiate service at the end of October, it has not yet been able to base aircraft and crew in Pago Pago due to restrictions in place from the American Samoa Government related to the COVID-19 public health emergency,” according to the company’s application requesting a renewal of exemption for 180-days.

“Basing aircraft and crew in Pago Pago is necessary for Talofa Airways to begin providing this important air service, and Talofa Airways is ready to do so promptly upon receipt of all necessary approvals from the American Samoa Government,” it says.

By renewing this exemption for 180-days USDOT “will allow Talofa Airways to be in a position to rapidly initiate and maintain in place for the statutorily authorized period its planned service,” according to the application, which was filed by the airline’s Washington D.C. based attorneys.

The renewal exemption for 180-days begins on the expiration of its initial exemption, Nov. 24th, it says and the airline acknowledged — as in it’s initial application in September — that Samoa Airways currently operates the territory’s domestic flights.