13 May 2005

Samoan airline blames new immigration controls for reduced passenger numbers

10:51 am on 13 May 2005

The Samoa government-owned Polynesian Airlines has expressed concern over the impact that tighter immigration controls are having on passenger loads on the Apia to Pago Pago sector.

Malopaia John Fitzgerald told the Samoa Observer newspaper that March figures showed a drop of more than 2000 passengers from the same month last year.

Malopaia believes the drop is a direct result of stricter immigration laws imposed in both countries.