Pacific Air Charters Inaugurates Scheduled Flights to Manu'a Islands

New Air Service Connects Tutuila and Manu'a

Pacific Air Charters (PACI) has officially begun limited scheduled flight operations between Tutuila and the Manu'a Islands in American Samoa. The inaugural flights took off on Friday, October 3, marking a significant development for inter-island transportation in the territory. The new service aims to provide a more consistent travel option for residents of the remote Manu'a group.

Operational Details and Aircraft

The airline, operating under a Part 135 certificate for on-demand air charter services, is currently permitted to run a limited weekly schedule while awaiting full flight service approval from the US Department of Transportation. Pacific Air Charters is deploying a 9-passenger Tecnam Traveller aircraft for these routes, with one such plane based at Tafuna Airport on Tutuila. Due to weight limitations, flights to Manu'a will typically carry approximately 6 to 7 passengers.

The initial schedule includes two turnaround flights on October 3, serving both Fitiuta and Ofu. While flights were initially announced for Sunday, October 5, they were subsequently moved to Monday, October 6, following input from the Department of Port Administration. The introductory round trip fare for the new service has been set at $250.

Addressing Long-Standing Transportation Challenges

The introduction of this new air service is expected to alleviate persistent transportation difficulties faced by the Manu'a Islands, which include Ta'ū, Ofu, and Olosega. These islands are geographically distant from Tutuila, and reliable air and sea links have historically been a challenge. Previously, Samoa Airways was the primary airline offering flights between Tutuila and Manu'a, but the region has often grappled with inconsistent service and regulatory hurdles. The lack of dependable transportation has impacted economic development, healthcare access, and educational opportunities for Manu'a residents.

Company Background and Future Outlook

Pacific Air Charters, owned by local businessman Papalii Laulii Alofa and his family, has been active in the Hawaiian Islands since 2004, operating a fleet of Tecnam aircraft. In American Samoa, the company operates under the 'Pago Wings' brand. The airline has expressed intentions to expand its operations further, with future plans including obtaining full scheduled air service approval and potentially offering flights to Samoa.