Samoa Air (1987–2003)

This article is about the defunct airline from the US territory of American Samoa. For the airline from the Independent State of Samoa that operated 2012–2015, see Samoa Air.

Not to be confused with Samoa Airways, the flag carrier of Samoa, or with Samoan Airlines, a small US international airline based in American Samoa that operated 1959–1960

Samoa Air

IATA ICAO Call sign SE - -
Founded	1987; 38 years ago (1987)
Ceased operations	September 2003; 21 years ago (2003-09)
Hubs	Pago Pago International Airport
Fleet size	2
Destinations	4
Headquarters	Pago Pago, American Samoa

Samoa Air was a scheduled and charter passenger airline based in Pago Pago, American Samoa.

History

An airline named Samoa Air started operations in 1985, with flights from Pago Pago to Honolulu using a leased Boeing 707.[1]

Samoa Air started operations on January 18, 1987, with a single de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft.[2] In 1990 both the airline's Twin Otters were damaged in Niue by Cyclone Ofa.[3] In 1996 it was operating Twin Otters between Pago Pago and the Manuʻa Islands, and a Beechcraft King Air to Vavaʻu in Tonga, as well as flights to Apia in Samoa.[2] In January 1997 it celebrated its 10th anniversary.[4]

In June 2002 the company announced plans to expand into a regional airline covering all of Polynesia.[5] In July 2003 it attempted to raise capital for a jet service to Honolulu.[6] In September 2003 it ceased all operations after failing to lease another aircraft to replace its sole Twin Otter, which was scheduled for maintenance.[7] After failing to secure further investors, it sought bankruptcy protection in December 2003.[8]

See also

• List of defunct airlines of the United States

References

1. "Samoan airline in service". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 56, no. 4. 1 April 1985. p. 24. Retrieved 17 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
2. "Serving the Pacific". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 66, no. 12. 1 December 1996. p. 36. Retrieved 17 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
3. "Ravaged by winds and seas". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 60, no. 3. 1 March 1990. p. 15. Retrieved 17 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
4. "Celebrating 10 years in the Pacific". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 66, no. 6. 1 June 1996. p. 45. Retrieved 17 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
5. "Samoa company plans a regional airline". RNZ. 14 June 2002. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
6. "American Samoan airline seeks capital for new venture". RNZ. 1 July 2003. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
7. "Samoa Air suspends service". RNZ. 11 September 2003. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
8. "Samoa Air files for bankruptcy protection". RNZ. 16 December 2003. Retrieved 17 June 2022.

External links

• Samoa Air Boeing 707 Image at Planepictures.net