6 Feb 2006

American Samoa's Governor lobbies for lower airfairs to Hawaii

8:15 am on 6 February 2006

American Samoa's Governor, Togiola Tulafono, has asked Hawaiian Air to lower airfares on its Honolulu - Pago Pago route.

The governor's request follows a speech by the airline's CHief Executive Officer, Mark Dunkerley, in which he said creating premium revenue was at least as important as managing cost.

Governor Togiola wrote to Mr Dunkerley saying the statement suggested that the high fares Hawaiian Air charges between Honolulu and Pago Pago are a result of a desire for profit rather than cost covering.

He asked the airline to lower its economy fares between Hawaii and American Samoa to $500 or less for a round trip.

He noted that a similar flight of the same length between Honolulu and California costs much less.

Hawaiian Air roundtrip fares between Honolulu and Pago Pago range from $763 US dollars for a 30-day advance purchase, to $1,013 for a 7-day advance purchase.

Fares from Honolulu to California range from $298 to $358 for a roundtrip.