Samoa Airways’ current cabotage waiver, to operate flights between Tutuila and Manu’a expires July 15.
The airline is seeking approval from the US Department of Transportation to extend the cabotage exemption for another six months through to January 17, 2025.
Federal law prohibits a foreign carrier from operating direct flights between two US points so the exemption is needed to allow Samoa Airways to continue the Tutuila to Manu’a flights .
At present the Samoa carrier is the sole provider of scheduled air service between Tutuila and Manu’a.
Attorney Charles F Donley II said in a June 26, filing with the USDOT, “the Pago Pago Manu’a islands route is still without US carrier service and there is no indication this will change. Samoa Airways remains able to provide transportation between the two points, thus preventing severe hardship to American Samoa residents who could otherwise be required to travel between the islands by boat.”
During the period from January to May 2024 , Samoa Airways operated about 256 scheduled flights transporting 2,693 passengers and more than 700 kilograms of cargo. It also performed five medical evacuations.
The airline attorney said there is a clear need for continued cabotage service through January 17, 2025 and added that the service is fully supported by the American Samoa Government which has previously submitted letters confirming the need for the service.
Samoa Airways last year applied for a 12 month cabotage exemption which USDOT approved. However the agency allowed the Samoa carrier a six month period to operate flights on the route up to July 15, 2024.
USDOT said it was deferring action on the remaining portion of Samoa Airways’ application, that is, it’s request for authority to operate beyond July 15, 2024.
