Samoan airline

in service

Samoa Air, a new regional airline, carrying the national flag of American Samoa, opened services late in February with a flight from Pago Pago to Hon olulu.

Initially the airline will oper ate two flights a week on that route using a Boeing 707 airline bought from the charter oper ator, Aero Pilipinas.

The aircraft was delivered last September and since then has been fully refurbished and given new livery. It has 16 first class and 143 economy class seats. According to a spokes man for Samoa Air all neces sary international clearances have been obtained.

Yet to come is a US$2.2 million ’’hush kit” to bring the engines within current noise level limits. This is due to be fitted by Boeing Aircraft Com pany in Seattle, later this year.

Until then, the aircraft will oper ate under a noise level

dispensation from the U.S.

Federal Aviation Administra tion.

The president and chairman of the board of the new airline is Mr Ron Pritchard, an American Samoan national, who has banking and other financial and community interests in the terri tory.

Brian Asgill, vice-president for marketing and sales, based in Honolulu, has discussed in ter-line and marketing arrange ments for Samoa Air with TAA, Ansett and Qantas. He said Samoa Air would expand services to other regional Pacific destinations but, initially, would consolidate its position on the Hawaii-American Samoa route.

Two other airlines operate on this sector, Hawaiian Airlines and South Pacific Island Air ways. Each runs three services a week, also with Boeing 707 equipment.