Pacific

Polynesian airlines forced to end its services to Manu'a after local service starts

16:15 pm on 17 December 2004

Samoa's Polynesian Airlines has stopped flying between Tutuila and Manu'a in American Samoa - now that the US company Inter Island Air is plying the same route.

The airline's chief executive, Malopaia John Fitzgerald, says Polynesian must withdraw its services no later than five days after a US carrier initiates domestic passenger operations on the same route.

Malopaia says that in order to comply with the so-called cabotage exemption, Polynesian has already advised the Governor's Office that after today's flights to Ofu and Tau, Polynesian's services to the Manu'a islands will cease.