Honolulu-based Pacific Air Charters Inc. (PACI) which operates on demand charters in the Hawaiian islands, is now owned by local business people.
This is according to filings with the US Department of Transportation to support the company’s application to operate as a commuter air carrier.
Mrs. Wanda Alofa, owns 75% of the shares of Pacific Air Charters Inc., while Laulii Alofa owns 25%.
Attorney Marshall Ashley is the company president and chairman of the Board of Directors. The other Board members along with Wanda and Laulii Alofa are Patrick Edward McNamee, who is Director of Operations, Sven Lincke and Tish Peau.
The company in a June 6 filing with the USDOT seeks authority to conduct scheduled passenger operations as a communities air carrier between Lanai Airport and Honolulu Airport and Lanai Airport and Kahului Airport.
In April this year, the company submitted a proposal to provide essential air service from the Lanai airport to Honolulu and to Maui. It said if its proposal is accepted it will be PACI’s first scheduled service. If the application is not accepted, it will propose scheduled service on other routes in Hawaii.
According to the filings, PACI, is a brother sister corporation with Pago Wings LLC organized in American Samoa and with Paramount Builders Inc., also organized in American Samoa, each 100% owned by the Alofas. Pago Wings LLC owns aircraft which it leases to PACI.
The company lists a fleet of 6 aircraft: One- 4 passenger Cessna, leased from Pago Wings, four- 9 passenger Tecnam Travellers also leased from Pago Wings and one 5-passenger Pipe Seneca II leased from Patrick McNamee.
The application discloses that the applicant is aware of a pending investigation by the FAA into allegations that Pago Wings LLC, Paramount Builders Inc and/or three PACI pilots conducted illegal Part 135 flights. The investigation centers on certain non –revenue flights conducted in American Samoa during January, 2024 and whether such flights were conducted under Part 91 or Part 135.
Also at issue is whether the flights were conducted by Pago Wings LLC, an entity with no Certificate of Authority.
The filings say PACI has cooperated with the investigations and expected it to be concluded soon with no action taken. Additionally, there have been no charges of unfair or deceptive or anti competitive business practices, or of fraud, felony or anti trust violation against the applicant, any of its key personnel, or against any associated company in the past ten years.
Also there has been no aircraft accident or incident involving the applicant, its personnel or any relevant corporation during the preceding year.
