Hawaiian Airlines has again been requested to hold off on flights to American Samoa for another month.
Governor Lolo Moliga’s latest request to Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Mr. Peter Ingram dated July 15 states, “Given the unstable situation in the State of Hawaii, I am compelled to continue our border closure throughout the month of August. This decision will certainly place extreme stress on our American Samoa residents who are stranded in Hawaii and in some of the mainland states.”
In his previous request, the governor had asked the airline CEO to continue the suspension of flights up to the end of July and with a reconsideration date of August 1.
In his latest letter to Mr. Ingram, the Governor said, “We had hoped that Hawaii would maintain its control on Coronavirus cases exhibited in May and early part of June but the the recent changes caused Governor David Ige to reinstitute some restrictions.”
Hawaii was to begin suspending the 14-day quarantine period for visitors on August 1 but the Hawaii governor, responding to a spike in COVID-19 cases delayed that plan to September 1st.
As of yesterday Hawaii had 1,292 confirmed cases and 22 deaths.
The governor’s letter is part of Hawaiian Airlines’ request for exemption from service obligation filed with the US Department of Transportation earlier this week.
The airline said Mr. Ingram received another letter from Governor Moliga stating that he intends to continue American Samoa’s border closure through the month of August.
“To honor Governor Moliga’s request, Hawaiian respectfully requests that DOT extend the exemption from Hawaiian’s obligation to serve American Samoa through August 31st.”
In his letter to the airline President and CEO the governor thanked Mr Ingram for approving our request for a medical charter which will evacuate many of our critically ill patients and our college bound students.
He said fortunately there is remaining room for US residents on the charter flight scheduled for July 21st who have been stranded here to return home.
Hawaiian Airlines Vice President Ann Botticelli said that the airline has granted the governor’s request to suspend flights until the end of August.
“We are, of course, complying with Gov. Moliga’s request re: suspension,” she told KHJ News.