Talofa Airways

The airline’s Chief Executive Officer Toleafoa Captain Jeffrey Hunt confirmed to Samoa News that Talofa Air received their permit for the direct flights last month.

RNZ reports Talofa Airways will open its ticket office last week and will fly the route six times a day from tomorrow.

American Samoa Visitors Bureau chief executive David Vaeafe said their programme has always been to attract more carriers to help build the economy and tourism.

He said the arrival of Talofa Airways means there will soon be more than a hundred flights a week on the route and the competition with Polynesian Airlines is already benefitting visitors.

RNZ reports it will be the third locally operated airline alongside Polynesian Airlines and Samoa Air.

Talofa Airways will operate two nine seater Twin Commander aircraft between the two Samoas and also plans to fly to Vava'u in Tonga.

The airline is managed by a former CEO of Polynesian Airlines Taua Fatu Tielu and Toleafoa Jeffrey Hunter who is the new airline's CEO.

The airlines entry into American Samoa market will see the end of the monopoly held for the last couple of years by Polynesian Airlines.

Spokesman and chief pilot Toleafoa Jeffrey Hunter said they will offer 6-7 flights from Fagalii Airport (FGI) to Pago Pago (PPG) and one service from Faleolo International Airport (APW) to PPG per day.

Office space at Pago Pago International Airport is being finalized and staff hired with online booking and website available soon.

Talofa Airways will operate two Twin Commander planes on the services which seat 9 passengers.

Our correspondent in Apia, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, said the airline was expected to fly domestically, and to American Samoa, Tonga and Niue.

He said it had been reported a company representative was in the United States to negotiate the use of two small aircraft.