Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Samoa readies for new interisland service

Posted at 23:56 on 29 November, 2004 UTC

The Samoa Airport Authority general manager, Fepuleai Rimoni Aiafi, says work is underway at Faleolo International Airport to accommodate Inter Island airways.

However according to a company official the airline still has to undergo certification by the Federal Aviation Administration before it can begin service.

He says contact was made with the Samoa Airport Authority to accommodate FAA test flights which are tentatively scheduled for next week.

The airline sent two pilots to the US to undergo check rides which normally would be held locally however because of FAA funding problems the company took the initiative to send the pilots to the mainland.

Since Samoa Air suspended service in September of last year Polynesian has had a monopoly on the inter Samoa sector and the Tutuila to Manua route.