28 Oct 2005

Polynesian Airlines petitioned to retain Hawaii flights

3:18 pm on 28 October 2005

Samoans and Tongans residing in Hawaii have presented a petition to Polynesian Airlines to continue the weekly flight Polynesian currently operates from Apia to Honolulu.

The Hawaii Samoan and Tongan community members who signed the petition said their livelihood depended on it.

The petition said that travellers do not want to go through the hassle of American Samoa's entry permit requirements and stopover in Pago Pago en route to Apia.

Polynesian Blue, the new airline formed between Virgin Blue and Polynesian, is currently in negotiation with Hawaiian Air over a possible code-share arrangement for the route.