7 Jul 2006

Budget cuts in American Samoa means government cannot run air traffic control service

5:43 pm on 7 July 2006

The American Samoan governor says budget cuts in the upcoming fiscal year means the government will not be able to take over air traffic services for Pago Pago international airport.

The present contract for air traffic advisory services, with Crown Consulting, expires on October the first and the government was informed last year to prepare to take over.

The service controls air traffic below 4-thousand feet.

But the governor, Togiola Tulafono says the government is not going to be able to support the advisory service because of budget cuts.

He says the Federal Aviation Authority, which contracted to Crown, will be advised and told that Crown Consulting needs to continue its service for Pago Pago.