Pago Wings has begun conducting test flights around the Samoan archipelago to assess the Tecnam P2012's payload capabilities, according to local news outlets. Using N1202P (msn 056/US), Pago Wings operated flights between Pago Pago and Ofu on January 2 and 3, and between the capital and Fitiuta on January 4.
The American Samoan start-up is under the control of Part 135 air carrier Pacific Air Charters (Honolulu), and had intended to commence charter operations around America Samoa in November 2023 while awaiting a licence to fly scheduled services. The airline is also eyeing flights to neighbouring Samoa, but there is uncertainty surrounding the status of its operating licence there, if any. ch-aviation has contacted Pago Wings for clarification.
When the appropriate licencing is secured and the it does launch, Pago Wings will become the only active scheduled carrier based in American Samoa, a US territory covering seven islands and atolls over 4,000 kilometres south of Honolulu. American Samoa's primary airport is Pago Pago. Other airports in the territory, such as Ofu and Fitiuta, are within the P2012's range and are unserved by any scheduled airlines.
