Inter Island Airways is calling on the local government to lobby for the lifting of restrictions imposed by the Samoa government on the carrier’s flights into Samoa. They are also calling to improve Manu’a airports to better serve the island group.

The airline’s executive vice president Barney Sene made the appeal last Thursday during his power point presentation before the House Transportation Committee chaired by Rep. Vaitoa Hans Langkilde, who called the hearing for a briefing of lawmakers on the expansion of the carrier’s flights and what it needs from the local government.

SAMOA SERVICE

Sene told the committee about an incident on Aug. 28, 2008 when an Inter Island flight with eight passengers was denied landing at Faleolo International Airport in Samoa (This is the first time the airline has officially confirmed the incident).

Samoa News understands there was no advance notice from the government of Samoa about flights being restricted to just two a day for Inter-Island Airways.

In response to the incident, Rep. Alexander Eli Jennings and other House members last year sought assistance from the U.S. State Department and Sene thanked the Fono for their support.

Sene said that since Aug. 29, 2008 Inter Island Air has been restricted to only two daily flights to and from Faleolo airport while the two Samoa-based airlines - government owned Polynesian Airlines and privately owned South Pacific Express (SPEX) - “have unlimited access to Pago Pago International Airport.”

He said any time Inter Island wants to operate extra flights, a request has to be made in writing to the Samoa Civil Aviation Authorities. The problem is, an approval usually comes too late, while the carrier needs advance notice in order to accommodate passengers and set up flights and crew.

Another problem faced by Inter Island is the Samoa government had recently granted the airline a 6-month Foreign Operator Air Carrier (FOAC) certificate, which expires in June this year, said Sene.

However, the U.S. government has issued 2 year licenses each to Polynesian and SPEX, said Sene.

To address these flight restrictions, Sene said Inter Island is  working with the U.S. State Department (including the U.S. Embassy in Apia) and the U.S. Department of Transportation “to remove the current flight restrictions”.

Sene requested the American Samoa government to support Inter Island’s effort in removing these restrictions, saying “this is a business issue for us.”

“More flights means more competition and lower rates as well as better service,” he added.

Responding to a committee question, Sene said Inter Island has no plans to utilize the Fagali’i Airport due to safety reasons. However, he said Inter Island is working on providing a free shuttle bus from Faleolo airport to Apia for its passengers.

Industry sources say the Fagali’i airport runway is too short for Inter Island’s 19-seater Dornier aircraft and SPEX’s Dash 8 30-seater plane, leaving only Polynesian airlines’ 19-seater Twin Otter aircraft the only aircraft able to operate in and out of Fagali’i airport.

Fagali’i airport, located 5 minutes from downtown Apia is owned by Polynesian Airlines and was closed several years ago due to safety concerns. But last month Polynesian’s chief executive officer Taua Fatu Tielu told the Apia-based Samoa Observer newspaper the idea of reopening the airstrip came about because of the tough competition Polynesian is facing.

Construction work has begun for a terminal building and leveling the airstrip at Fagali’i.

MANU’A AIRPORTS

Inter Island’s longstanding concern with the short runway at the Ofu airport was again voiced during the hearing, with Sene saying the airport “runway is short and is a major safety issue for aircraft landings and take-offs.”

“Our aircraft’s ability to carry full passenger and cargo loads is limited,” said Sene, who pointed out that due to the short runway (which is about 2,000 feet long) the 19-seater plane can only carry nine passengers.

Sene later told Samoa News with good weather conditions Inter Island could probably accommodate an extra two passengers but this cannot be done when the plane takes off from Ofu.

He told lawmakers there have been a lot of complaints about the flight not accommodating more than nine passengers but for the safety of passengers, aircraft and crew, it must maintain the current passenger/cargo capacity unless the airstrip is extended.

Inter island recommends the runway be extended by a minimum of 600 feet, allowing the plane to take up to 13 passengers and cargo. It also recommends the airport provide aircraft turn-around area at the end of the runway; widen existing runways to 75 feet and provide a concrete or paved terminal parking area.

Additionally, runway lights for emergency night-time landings need to be installed, he said.

Sene said Inter Island would like to utilize the new 30-seat Dornier aircraft (scheduled to arrive next month) to and from Fitiuta Airport on Ta’u island, especially when there is heavy passenger load but the airport has problems.

To accommodate the new aircraft, Inter Island requested an extension of the current runway, fire-crash facilities, navigational equipment and runway lights.

The current runway is about 3,200 feet (and 75 feet wide), which accommodates the 19-seater, but an extension of 600 feet would allow the larger aircraft to carry up to 27 passengers.

Sene told Samoa News expansion of the runways at Ofu and Fitiuta airports would allow the carrier to provide more flights in an effort to accommodate travelers and boost tourism.

“We appreciate the government’s support and response to our suggestions and we are here to assist in any way possible to boost the economy of our Manu’a island group,” said Sene.