Pago Wings starts testing charter routes

By Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi • 10 January 2024, 10:00PM

A recently established aviation firm in American Samoa, Pago Wings, with intentions to operate charter flights to Samoa, performed trial flights to the Manu'a island last week.

This indicates the company's proactive efforts to assess and ensure the feasibility and readiness of its flight operations.

Media outlets within the territory reported the nine-seater Tecnam Traveller of the company, noting its departures from Pago Pago International on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday last week.

According to statements from Airport Manager Tavita Fuimaono to Talanei media, the aircraft conducted test flights to Ofu on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Subsequently, on Thursday, the plane flew to Fitiuta.

These flights were specifically designated as test flights aimed at assessing payload capacities, and notably, passengers were on board during these assessments.

This meticulous testing process is crucial in gauging the aircraft's performance under various conditions and ensuring its readiness for operational flights with passengers, said a statement from the company.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Civil Aviation in Samoa, Olo Fiti Va'ai confirmed in a recent interview that the American Samoa company, Pago Wings has yet to apply for an air service license.

Currently, Talofa Airways and Samoa Airways which are locally owned are the only airlines operating the route between Pago Pago and Apia.

Reports by Pago Pago news outlet Samoa News stated that Pago Wings hopes to begin offering charter flights on 1 November 2023 while it applies for U.S. government approval for its scheduled air service.

Pago Wings is owned by businessman Papali’I Laulii Alofa with the company operating the charter flights under the Hawaii-based Pacific Air Charters Inc.

According to media reports, Pago Wings Chief Executive, Marshall Ashley said they will be looking primarily at charters for Manu’a including government operations flights. She said charters to Samoa, Vava’u, Tonga and other islands are also being considered, “but our main emphasis is Manu’a".

Since the arrival of the company's first aircraft last month, a nine-seater P2012 Traveller, it has been housed at what used to be the inter-island Air hangar.

The plane has flown twice to Manu’a just for familiarisation, without landing at both Ofu and Fitiuta airports and the airline will do test flights before the start of its charter service.

The company also plans to have 10-12 pilots rotating in and out of Hawaii for the service, with one pilot stationed permanently on the island.

Tecnam, which is an Italian aircraft manufacturer, in May this year announced the delivery of two P2012 Travellers to Pacific Air Charters Inc. According to the Tecnam media release, Pacific Air Charters Inc., which has been operating in Hawaii since 2003, had already purchased two Tecnam P2012 Traveller aircraft. The delivery in May this year follows the signing of an order for two P2012 aircraft plus twenty-three additional options.