The American Samoa-based Inter Island Airways has confirmed that it is in negotiations to lease, or lease to own the government aircraft Segaula.
The governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga says the Department of Port Administration is heading the negotiations with Inter Island Air.
He says the negotiations also includes lease to own of the nine seater aircraft, which provides air service to Ofu island in the Manua island group.
Inter Island Air provides air service only to the Fitiuta Airport on Tau island in Manu'a.
Lolo says he is concerned that the government could not withstand a liability suit if a passenger is hurt when travelling on the government plane.
He says, however, Inter Island does provide insurance under its Federal Aviation Authority certification.
"By having the Inter Island get into that, they will provide insurance, many people will be secure when they fly versus what we have here, they can fly but if anything happens we will be liable, we will be liable for any of that."
Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga says there is no deadline to complete negotiations.
