28 Jun 2006

American Samoa Senate President says Governor is mishandling Hawaiian Airlines row

10:20 am on 28 June 2006

The American Samoa Senate President Lolo Letalu Moliga has voiced his opposition to senators over what he called Governor Togiola Tulafono's dictatorial treatment of Hawaiian Airlines.

Last month, the governor gave Hawaiian airlines a 45 day ultimatum to meet its demands for lower airfares and improved customer services or exit the territory.

Lolo says the governor has refused to even meet with the airline that holds a monopoly in the territory as a major carrier.

He said he acknowledged the public's frustration regarding the current state of Hawaii's airline service.

But, Lolo said there are insufficient volumes of travellers to support more than one carrier for the territory.