27 May 2005

Polynesian Airlines hikes price of children's tickets on inter-Samoa route

9:13 am on 27 May 2005

Polynesian Airlines has increased children's airfares between Pago Pago and Apia to match the rest of the carrier's child-fares on other routes.

Though the change went into effect a month ago, several residents in American Samoa complained that they weren't aware of the increase until they visited the Polynesian office or their travel agents.

Polynesian's local station manager Toloai Ho Ching said the inter-Samoa route was the only market where child passengers were paying 50 per cent of the adult base fare, while children traveling on the rest of the airline's routes were paying 75 per cent.

Mr Ching said headquarters decided to use the same fare structure for all its routes, having children pay 75 per cent of the base adult fare.

Polynesian remains the only carrier operating inter-Samoa flights since locally-based Samoa Air pulled out of the market in September 2003.

The carrier's license was revoked last year by the US Department of Transportation because the company was not operating flights.