4 Apr 2013

American Samoa's Manu'a islands cut off with no transport services

7:36 pm on 4 April 2013

The Manu'a islands in American Samoa have no transportation whatsoever with both the air service provided by Inter Island Air and the boat service on the MV Sili out of operation.

Inter Island, which flies between American Samoa's main island of Tutuila and Ta'u Island in Manu'a, is unable to fly this week as its Dornier aircraft is stuck at Faleolo International Airport in Samoa.

The Dornier has been there since Friday afternoon due to steering issues.

Inter Island is awaiting a part from off island that's due to arrive later this week.

The MV Sili has been down since March the 8th and is also awaiting repairs.

Apia-based Samoa Air is willing to fly to Manu'a but the US Department of Transportation has only approved it for emergency medical flights, and that just for a one month period ending on April the 21st.