Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Port Administration has been asked by several churches to restrict flights on Sunday morning from Apia, Samoa due to the significant noise they cause, disrupting church services.

Faipule Fagaima Larry S. Sanitoa, who is one of the House representatives for the Tualauta district, is following up on this request according to an email to Port Admin Director Barney Sene from the lawmaker.

According to the email, several churches and congregations located on the flight path have requested that “flights using the smaller runway be restricted between 8 AM and 1 PM on Sundays.

“Given the close proximity of the flight path to the smaller runway, these flights are causing significant noise and disruption during church services,” it states.

The first request was made prior to White Sunday.

A followup email, on Friday, October 10, 2025 updates the request to the Port Admin director, with Fagaima noting the he spoke with Airport Manager, Mr. Tavita Fuimaono, who indicated that this issue should not be a problem.

“He advised that we simply need to inform both airlines.”

Fagaima further noted that “this past Sunday, the flights were particularly noticeable during Mass service due to their proximity to the [Catholic] cathedral.”

The smaller runway is located to the left of the airport, along the industrial park side. Flights are usually heard on approach to the runway from the Ottoville direction — where many churches are located, including the church compounds of Kanana Fou, Fatu-o-Aiga and where the Church of Latter Days Saints temple is currently being constructed.

The independent state of Samoa has a similar restriction in place for its runway located at Fagali’i Airport, after the village requested it — as part of their lease/ permission to re-open the airfield. Sunday flights are restricted all day Sunday, which has necessitated the government airline flights flying between the 2Samoas to fly out of Faleolo International Airport on Sunday.

Samoa News should point out that at one time, the Fagali’i Airport also restricted the time the flights flew in and out to afternoon only. Its’ later reiteration became an ‘all day’ restriction.

It’s unknown at this time if or when the local flight restriction for Sunday will be implemented locally.