Ads by Google Ads by Google

Gov proposes limited Hawaiian Air travel dates for the First Quarter of 2022

Peter Ingram, CEO of Hawaiian Airlines
Cites “COVID-19 vaccination numbers are not quite where we need them to be”
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a letter dated October 19, 2022, addressed to Mr. Peter Ingram, CEO of Hawaiian Airlines, Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga proposed a schedule of travel dates for the first quarter of 2022.

A press statement released yesterday says Lemanu submitted the proposal well in advance to assist with “planning future operations” for the upcoming calendar year. 

The separation of these flights will allow ASG emergency first responders, health care staff, and administrators adequate time to rest and recover before continuing their service to assist travelers to enter the Territory safely.

The proposed schedule is as follows:

  •           Thursday, January 6, 2022
  •           Thursday, January 27, 2022
  •           Thursday, February 17, 2022
  •           Thursday, March 10, 2022
  •            Thursday, March 31, 2022

 “I support the work of the GAR and COVID-19 Task Force, and I believe we are still on the right track with managing this strategy of controlled border travel to limit the positive COVID-19 cases entering the Territory to those in post-travel quarantine,” the governor said.

“Our COVID-19 vaccination numbers are not quite where we need them to be to open up a more frequent schedule of travel. We cannot afford to miss any opportunity to keep our Territory safer. I am committed to reopening our borders, but I want to do it responsibly. As a result, this will mean increasing personnel, resources, training, and equipment to continue to assist in early detection, containment and treatment. Also, we need to remain in a state of readiness in case the borders would need to close at a moment’s notice.”

In summing up the governor said, “I commend Mr. Ingram and the entire Hawaiian Airlines family for all his support during our time of need. I look forward to strengthening our partnership as the rest of the Nation looks towards ending this pandemic. I would also like to recognize the COVID-19 Task Force, health care workers and first responders for all their hard work and for pushing forward with the Safe Travels American Samoa initiative. It is a great combination of good decision making and implementing efficient systems and policies such as TalofaPASS that will help us reopen for business as normal and see us through the end of the pandemic.”