American Samoa-based Samoa Air has suspended flights indefinitely after failing to secure a replacement aircraft. for its own plane that is to be serviced.
The Pago Pago-based carrier is seeking an exemption with the US department of Transportation to fly to Manu'a which is now without air services.
Samoa Air was to lease a Dash-8 from New Zealand-based carrier National Air but failed to make the deposit for the deal to go ahead.
Samoa Air's own only aircraft, a twin-otter plane, went into preparation for a required FAA maintenance update, which could last eight weeks.
The suspension has put pressure on Polynesian Airlines which is struggling to meet the demand for seats between the two Samoas.