A commercial airline service has resumed in American Samoa to the Manu'a airport in Ofu, with Polynesian Airline's twin otter aircraft.
Ofu and Olosega have had no commercial air service since 2009.
13 passengers were on the first flight to Ofu and about 15 were booked on the return flight.
Deborah Malae of Vaoto Lodge, the longest established tourist accommodation on Ofu, says she hopes the start of regular fight service to the island will bring more tourists and get elderly residents who migrated to the main island, Tutuila, to return.
CEO of Polynesian Seiuli Alvin Tuala said they are starting with one flight a week and will be monitoring the service closely over the next three months to see if they can build up the route to a sustainable level.
He says Polynesian is working with the American Samoa Visitors Bureau to promote Ofu to tourists from the United States as Ofu and Tau make up the National Park of American Samoa and are very popular with tourists.
