Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Port Administration Director Barney Sene has offered a compromise to Faipule Fagaima Larry S. Sanitoa’s request, who on behalf of the many church leaders and their congregations, asked to restrict airport operations during certain hours on Sundays to relieve noise issues from flights flying in from Samoa.

Faipule Fagaima received an email from Sene, on October 22, 2025, explaining the compromise.

Apologizing for his delayed response, the Port Admin director noted that they “needed time to discuss internally with our teams the ‘legal’ approach to shutting down a designated ‘International Airport’ runway that is supposed to be available 24/7/365, for a lengthy (permanent) period of time on a specific day, given that this has long-term ramifications to airport operations, and we needed to ensure that current and future issues do not return to harm the safety and growth of these operations, and airport in general.”

He continued, “That said, we have come up with a solution that will take effect this Sunday, October 26, 2025:

NOISE ABATEMENT — Your request for the closure of one of our runways on Sundays, due to noise during Church services, will be based on "Noise Abatement", a courtesy offered by Airports to address community (those who live and are located next to an airport) concerns related to noise impact during particular events, activities, or times. 

This request is also in the interest of the Department of Port to create a healthy partnership balance between the community and airport operations.

NOTAM —  A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) is being finalized and will be posted by our Airport Operations team today on the FAA NOTAM as an alert to all pilots and aircraft flying into Pago Pago International Airport, that Runway 8 for landing, and Runway 26 for takeoff, will be restricted (closed) from use on Sundays, from 6:00 am to 1:00 pm Local (SST) time. 

At the same time, we will be meeting with Talofa Airways and Samoa Airways this Friday to discuss and review this NOTAM to ensure there are no safety concerns.

WEATHER CONDITIONS:  As you are aware, weather wind direction patterns here at Pago Pago International Airport change frequently and within minutes, requiring aircraft to land/ or take off, or change their approach to the best and safest runway the pilots have available. 

We are happy to accommodate your request as long as the safety of aircraft and traveling passengers is not compromised. 

EXCEPTIONS:  An exception to this NOTAM rule will be in the case of: (a) Aircraft Emergency declaration, where the Pilot will need to make their best judgment call based on safety; (b) when Runway 5/23 (long runway) is not operational and; (c) wind conditions on Runway 5/23 limits it's use particularly for small aircraft, where Runway 8/26 is now necessary for safe landings and takeoffs. 

Department of Port is not required to notify or gain consensus or approval from any nearby community or person when the exception is activated.

The Port Admin director concluded that he hopes this compromise meets their community needs for now.

EDITOR’S NOTE

Barring any unforeseen concerns that may arise, it looks like that starting Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, the airport runway (the longer one) used by the larger aircraft will be used on Sundays (only), instead of the smaller/ shorter runway normally used by smaller aircraft.

Notably, the Sunday flights will continue as per usual times, just where the aircraft lands and takes off will differ — if weather and runway approach conditions prevail. At all times, the safety of the passengers and flight crew will be paramount to any decision as to which runway will be used.