Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Doctor pleads for improved air service to American Samoa’s Manu’a Islands

Posted at 02:57 on 23 November, 2012 UTC

The owner of a medical service in American Samoa is pleading with the U.S. Department of Transportation to allow Samoa based Samoa Air to operate domestic flights within American Samoa.

Samoa Air wants to operate between Pago Pago International Airport and the domestic airports in the Manu’a island group.

Dr. Malouamaua Tuiolosega, who owns the Manu’a Health System, says his organisation faces difficulties providing vital medical services to Manu’a residents due to the lack of sufficient air links.

Tuiolosega says there is a pressing need, humanitarian and otherwise, for a reliable alternative service when the local airline, Inter Island Air, is out of action.