Pacific Air Charters (TUU, Honolulu) expects to begin commuter operations in American Samoa later in 2026, according to a June 16 filing with the US Department of Transportation (DOT) submitted in response to Samoa Airways's request to extend its cabotage authority on routes between Pago Pago and the Manu'a Islands, specifically Fitiuta and Ofu.

The Hawaiian operator said it had already received DOT approval to operate as a commuter airline, but still requires US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval of its procedures and manuals before launching scheduled services. It added that it will not be ready to commence operations before the current Samoa Airways cabotage waiver expires on July 4, 2026.

As ch-aviation previously reported, Pacific Air Charters launched on-demand charter operations with four Tecnam P2012s in March 2025 and has been working with regulators on its commuter certification since June 2024. In September 2025, it said a planned sale of one P2012 to raise launch funding had collapsed, forcing it to seek alternative financing.

Samoa Airways, meanwhile, told the DOT that no US carrier currently flights between Pago Pago and airports in the Manu'a Islands and requested an extension of its emergency cabotage exemption through January 1, 2027. The airline has to file for half-yearly extension, since non-US airlines are not normally allowed to operate domestic flights within the country and its territories.

The carrier said it operated approximately 225 scheduled flights, carrying 2,416 passengers and more than 987 kilogrammes of cargo, and conducted six medical evacuation flights during the first five months of 2026.

According to the filing, Pacific Air Charters intends to operate commuter services in both Hawaii and American Samoa but did not disclose routes, schedules, or aircraft allocations.