9 Mar 2019

Samoa pulls out of air agreement, leaving airline scrambling

5:59 pm on 9 March 2019
One of Talofa Airways Twin Commander aircraft

One of Talofa Airways Twin Commander aircraft Photo: RNZI/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

Samoa's Talofa Airways has sought an "emergency exemption" from the US Department of Transportation so it can continue operating in and out of neighbouring American Samoa.

It comes amid Samoa's decision to pull out of a multilateral air transport agreement.

Until March 9, Samoa had been a signatory along with New Zealand, Tonga, the Cook Islands and the United States.

Samoa has not yet been said why it pulled out of the agreement.

Talofa Airways currently provides daily flights between Apia and Pago Pago as well as two weekly flights between Pago Pago and Tonga.