Airline Boss Sees Benefits for Am Samoa in Air Tahiti Nui linksAirline boss sees benefits for Am Samoa in Air Tahiti Nui Links

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It’s the view of the CEO of Polynesian Airlines that the airline’s partnership with Air Tahiti Nui offers many viable opportunities not only for Samoa but American Samoa in terms of freight and a doorway to Asia through Japan.

Seiuli Alvin Tuala says benefits will be the saving on time and travel costs with these being dramatically reduced with Air Tahiti Nui’s flight to Japan from Apia.

He says at the moment Samoan travelers and “our huge Asian workforce” are having to fly to Fiji first, spend two days in a hotel before being able to catch the flight to Hong Kong to connect to other Asian countries.

On their return they again have to come through Fiji spend another night or two before connecting to Apia. The travel costs he said are very high because there’s no direct routes.

Seiuli said with direct flights from Apia to Japan, “our people and the large highly migratory Asian workforce in Samoa and American Samoa, will be able to travel quickly and frequently.”

He says the new service will mean cheaper airfares and brings both Samoa’s into the 21st century in terms of connectivity throughout Asia.

According to the CEO, most of our business people now travel to China and other Asian countries to do business.

And the new flight offers them a new option.

Seiuli also sees improvements in fish exports as a result of the planned direct flight to Japan.

He said both Samoa will benefit as exporters will be able to get their fish to the Asian markets quicker which yields fish exporters more for their fish.

In addition it will prevent the offload of fish exports and other products intended for the Asian market.

Seiuli worked as an aviation consultant in the Pacific region for many years, then joined the American Samoa Government through the Attorney General’s Office and later, Port Administration before becoming CEO of Polynesian.

He said ultimately the partnership with Air Tahiti Nui is going to provide the Samoan islands with “the much needed service that we so desperately need to move both our economies forward.”

He explained that aviation is one of the catalysts for economic growth and Samoa can benefit from the increased tourist numbers with a spill over effect into American Samoa with organized tours and other activities.

The Polynesian Airlines boss says the partnership also opens up opportunities for investors to come our way which all add up to potentially bigger and better developments and growth for both Samoa.

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