Hawaiian Airlines has formally petitioned the US Department of Transportation to clarify whether an executive order issued by American Samoa's Governor, Togiola Tulafono, is enforceable.
The executive order issued last week gave the airline 90 days to terminate service ot American Samoa provided a substitute carrier on the Honolulu to Pago Pago route is secured.
Hawaiian Air spokesman Keoni Wagner says it is the airline's belief that the executive order is pre-empted by federal law while the governor feels otherwise.
Mr Wagner says in the interest of clarifying the situation for all concerned, Hawaiian is asking the department for a ruling.
The governor accused Hawaiian of charging unduly high fares and discriminating against Samoans.
