Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Department of Port Administration of American Samoa (PAAS) has completed installing runway lights and navigational aids at the Fitiuta Airport, which will assist pilots in navigating during poor visibility and at night. This milestone will improve travel between Tutuila and Ta’u, enable safer travel in the rain, and enable night flights, especially Medivacs, if necessary.

The project was funded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), managed by the Department of Port Administration, and designed by Design Consultant Woolpert, with consultant PIOA and installed by McConnell Dowell. The project started in February 2022 and was officially commissioned at the beginning of March 2026 by an FAA Flight Check.

An FAA Flight Check is required before any newly installed runway lights and navigational aids may be used by pilots to land. The Flight Check requires that an FAA Team of pilots and engineers fly over the runway lights and certify that the lights and navigational aids operate as designed to allow the safe landing of airplanes. On March 2nd and 3rd, 2026, the Fitiuta Airport was Flight Checked and Commissioned by the FAA, specifically the runway lights, Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPIs), and Runway End Identifier Lights (REILs). The Commissioning marks the first time in two decades that Fitiuta will have operating lights and navigational aids.

PAAS would like to thank the grantor, FAA, and all the contractors involved in the successful completion of the project, including FAA Tech Ops, McConnell Dowell, Young Energy Solutions, PIOA Consultants, ETA Services, and the Community of Fitiuta for their patience and support throughout the project.  We are grateful that this new service is in place to improve travel between the Samoan Islands.