Samoa's national carrier has formally requested the United States Department of Transportation (U.S.D.O.T.) to renew its cabotage exemption for flights between Tutuila and Manu'a Islands. 

The current exemption is set to expire on 11 January 2025 as reported by local media outlet, Talanei News in American Samoa. 

In a 20 December filing with the USDOT, attorney Charles F. Donley II, representing Samoa Airways, emphasised the critical role the airline plays in ensuring connectivity and addressing emergency needs for the Manu’a Islands. The Government of American Samoa has urged Samoa Airways to continue its operations, highlighting the potential adverse effects on residents who would otherwise face severely limited or nonexistent air services.

The application underscores the airline’s significance in safeguarding the health and safety of Manu’a residents. Samoa Airways provides one of the few reliable air links to the islands, frequently transporting patients requiring hospital care in Pago Pago. The airline’s service is indispensable for emergency medical evacuations and the transportation of passengers seeking routine medical treatment.

“Without Samoa Airways’ service, many of these passengers would be forced to endure a 60-mile journey by boat across often turbulent seas,” the application stated. “Extending this exemption is essential for the safety and health of Manu’a Island residents.”

Between January and November 2024, Samoa Airways operated 531 scheduled flights, carrying 5,588 passengers and hundreds of pounds of cargo. In addition, the airline conducted nine emergency medical evacuation flights, further demonstrating its vital role in the region.

If the exemption is approved, Samoa Airways plans to continue operating multiple weekly flights between Tutuila and the Manu’a Islands using a 19-seat Twin Otter aircraft. The flight schedule will remain flexible, determined by the needs of residents, cargo shippers, and emergency situations. Samoa Airways expressed its willingness to accept a 180-day initial approval with the remainder of the exemption period deferred.

Under U.S. law, the USDOT can grant a foreign air carrier’s cabotage exemption under specific conditions. These include demonstrating that:

1. The exemption serves the public interest.

2. An emergency situation caused by extraordinary circumstances necessitates the service.

3. Efforts to accommodate the traffic with U.S. carriers have been exhausted.

4. Denial of the exemption would impose unreasonable hardship.

Samoa Airways asserts that all these criteria are met. The airline argues that no U.S. carriers are available to provide this essential service, and the exemption’s renewal is critical to prevent undue hardship for the Manu’a community.

The USDOT’s decision on this application will determine whether Samoa Airways can maintain its pivotal role in the region. With its track record of reliable service and the unequivocal support of the American Samoa government, the airline’s case underscores the broader importance of international collaboration in addressing unique transportation challenges.