Aviation History
As an unincorporated US territory, American Samoa's aviation history centers on Pago Pago International Airport (originally Tafuna Airfield), built by the US military beginning in 1941 and opened in 1942 as a key Pacific defense base during World War II. Locally based carriers such as South Pacific Island Airways (1973-1987) and Samoa Air/Samoa Airways have provided inter-island service, while Hawaiian Airlines has been the dominant carrier connecting the territory to Honolulu since 1983 as part of the wider US domestic aviation system. The airport's long runway, capable of handling wide-body jets, remains a strategic Pacific asset.
Two airstrips built by the US Navy as part of Naval Station Tutuila opened on 17 March 1942, laying the foundation for today's Pago Pago International Airport.
US Marine squadrons, including VMF-111 and MAG-13, were stationed at the field to defend American Samoa during the Pacific War.
A locally based carrier began inter-island and charter service from Pago Pago, later gaining scheduled (Part 121) carrier certification in 1981.
Hawaiian Airlines started flights connecting Pago Pago to Honolulu, becoming the territory's principal external air link.
Following FAA safety enforcement action, South Pacific Island Airways was liquidated in February 1987.
The main runway was lengthened to 10,000 feet, enabling it to handle Boeing 747 and Airbus A380-class aircraft.
Hawaiian Airlines (external service) · South Pacific Island Airways (defunct, 1973-1987) · Samoa Airways (regional)
Wikipedia, airlinehistory.co.uk, Simple Flying