The US Department of Transportation has granted Polynesian Airlines another 30 day extension to operate flights between Tafuna Airport and Fitiuta and Ofu, Manu’a
The latest approval is for the period from January 25 to February 23.
The USDOT said taking into account the current record, including that no U.S. carrier currently conducts any domestic flights in American Samoa, its granting Polynesian’s request to continue its intra-American Samoa services.
The 30 day cabotage waiver for the foreign carrier to fly between Tutuila and Manu’a is from January 25, 2016, through February 23, 2016, or until five days after a U.S. carrier initiates intra-American Samoa passenger operations, whichever occurs first.
USDOT found that this action met all the relevant criteria of 49 USC § 40109(g) for the grant of an exemption of this type, for a period of 30 days, and that the continued grant of this authority was required in the public interest.
The absence of U.S. carrier passenger service while IIA’s aircraft is out of service continues to constitute an emergency created by unusual circumstances not arising in the normal course of business.
Based on the record in this proceeding, USDOT concluded that no U.S. carrier had aircraft available that could be used to conduct the operations at issue here.
It also found that grant of this authority would prevent unreasonable hardship to the residents of American Samoa.
