Inter Island Airways

Inter Island Airways Dornier 228 at Tau Airport, Manu'a Islands of American Samoa in November 2003

Inter Island Airways Dornier 328 with new livery

Inter Island Airways (also known as "Inter Island Air") is a South Pacific regional airline based in Pago Pago, American Samoa. Inter Island Airways operates passenger and cargo flights in and between American Samoa, Independent Samoa and to neighboring Pacific island countries. Its main base of operations is at Pago Pago International Airport.^[2]

History

Inter Island Airways, a privately owned company, was established in August 1993 as an FAA Part 135 On-Demand Air Taxi Carrier. Inter Island Airways received its air carrier certificate in September 1995 and began providing domestic passenger and cargo air service between Pago Pago (Tutuila Island), and Tau (in the Manu'a Islands). The airline initiated on-demand passenger service with two 9-seater Aero Commander aircraft.

The airline suspended air operations in late 1997 to focus its attention on expanding its facilities, and acquiring a modern aircraft fleet starting with a new STOL type 19-seater Dornier 228-212 aircraft in April 1998.

In November 2003, Inter Island Airways restarted flight operations when Samoa Air suspended airline operations in September of the same year due to financial difficulties. The airline provided domestic cargo and on-demand charter passenger service between Pago Pago and Tau.

In January 2005, Inter Island Airways re-obtained its own Part 135 air carrier certificate and began expanding internationally, beginning on-demand passenger air charter service between Pago Pago and Apia, Samoa in June 2005. In July 2007, Inter Island Airways received Commuter Air Carrier Authorization.

Inter Island Airways expanded its fleet in February 2005 with the acquisition of a 9-seater Britten-Norman Islander BN2B-26. In December 2006, an additional 19-seater Dornier 228-212 aircraft was acquired.

Destinations

As of January 2012, Inter Island Airways operates daily passenger flights between Pago Pago and:

• Tau, Manu'a Islands (domestic)
• Apia/Faleolo International Airport, Independent Samoa (international)

References

Further reading

• "American Samoa Inter Island Airways to operate both passenger and charter flights in both Samoas". Radio New Zealand International. 17 June 2008. Retrieved 12 May 2012. 
• "Samoa Government renews landing rights for Inter Island Airways". Radio New Zealand International. 16 January 2008. Retrieved 12 May 2012. 
• "Airlines add extra flights to sold out Samoa route". Samoa News. 20 December 2007. 
• "Inter Island Air resumes flights from American Samoa to Apia". Radio New Zealand International. 2 August 2007. Retrieved 12 May 2012. 
• "Application of Inter Island Airways, Inc. d/b/a Inter Island Air for Commuter Authority". The Justia Regulation Tracker. 26 June 2007. Retrieved 12 May 2012. 
• "Airline Gets Extension For Samoas Service". Pacific Magazine. 4 April 2007. 
• "Inter Island Airways may see Delay in Scheduled Service". Pacific Magazine. 19 January 2007. 
• "Inter Island Airways Seeks to Expand Service". Pacific Magazine. 6 January 2007. 
• "American Samoa’s Inter Island Airways allowed into Samoa temporarily". Radio New Zealand International. 5 November 2006. Retrieved 12 May 2012. 
• "Samoa readies for new interisland service". Radio New Zealand International. 29 November 2004. Retrieved 12 May 2012. 
• "Inter Island Airways seek landing rights from Samoa". Pacnews. 5 May 2004. 
• "American Samoa: More interisland air service". Pacific Magazine. 25 October 2003.