10 Jul 2003

Airport runway back in operation in Pago Pago

3:34 pm on 10 July 2003

The American Samoa governor Togiola Tulafono has announced the re-opening of the main runway at Pago Pago International Airport.

The runway had been closed since June the 24th following the suspension of Hawaiian Air flights to the territory after two of its aircraft suffered damage from loose debris.

Togiola says a letter was sent last night to all airlines that have used the airport, notifying them of the development.

Hawaiian Air, the territory's only link to the US mainland, has announced it will resume flights by tomorrow.

Togiola says he confident the airline will also provide additional services.

"They had promised me when we spoke with them in Honolulu about a week ago that once the airport reopens that they will be putting in special sectors to try and pick up on all the traffic that had been backed up."

Togiola Tulafona.

Some visitors have been stranded in the territory since before flag day and government officals have also been stuck in Hawaii since the suspension of flights.

Mail bound for the territory has also been accumulating at a tonne a day in Honolulu.