Pacific Wings drops
American Samoa flight plan

The commuter airline failed
to gain support from the
government and general public

Maui-based Pacific Wings, citing lack of support, has withdrawn its application for a federal exemption that would allow it to start offering flights within American Samoa.

The airline in June applied for an exemption from the U.S. Transportation Department to operate the flights, but in an Aug. 18-dated letter to the Federal Aviation Administration said it wanted to withdraw the request.

"Support for this exemption request, whether from the Samoan or United States government or the general public, did not materialize as we had hoped or expected," wrote Gregory Walden, an attorney for the airline. "No comment was submitted during the public comment period. We understand such support would be essential to demonstrate to the FAA that the public interest favors granting the relief requested."

Pacific Wings President Greg Kahlstorf received government approval to launch air service, but the carrier still needed FAA approval because of federal regulations that prevent passenger flights from flying over water unless the aircraft flies high enough to be able to glide to land if its engines fail.

Kahlstorf said that when the airline applied for the exemption, there appeared to be significant legislative support and public interest.

"It surprised us that no comments were submitted to the U.S. Department of Transportation during the 20-day period following publication in the Federal Register," Kahlstorf said. "Without a clear expression of support from the community or its leaders, it made no sense to move forward."

Pacific Wings could refile the application, but Kahlstorf said the company now plans to concentrate on its Hawaii business by hiring additional employees and purchasing additional aircraft.

Pacific Wings serves every major Hawaiian island, including exclusive scheduled service to Kalaupapa on Molokai and Hana on Maui. The airline started up in Nevada in the 1970s and has been flying in Hawaii for nearly a decade.

For years, Pago Pago-based Samoa Air provided daily flights within American Samoa. But the airline's sole twin-otter aircraft was taken out of service in September 2003. Since then, Polynesian Airlines has provided interisland service. Polynesian Airlines is owned by the government of neighboring Samoa.