ASG and FAA agree to the tune of nearly $2 million
for new air traffic control tower

Having never backed down from the ASG’s position that the Federal Aviation Administration should be responsible for air traffic in and out of the Pago Pago International Airport, Governor Togiola Tulafono is pleased to announce that the FAA, through the Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) executed as of Monday, Oct. 1, has agreed to pay $1.984 million to the American Samoa Government for the construction of an air traffic control tower at the Pago Pago International Airport.

The money is for the design work, siting, engineering, and constructing of a non-federal contract tower; payment of equipment and installation of tower instruments; and training and development of personnel to man the tower.

The ASG will be responsible for all of these costs, utilizing funds from the FAA who have agreed to provide maintenance for a nominal charge. This will apply to all tower instruments which cost an estimated $50,000.

Togiola said that with the savings, ASG hopes to free up that specific money to help with other portions of the project.

But that’s not all. The FAA has also agreed to conduct a Benefit to Cost (B/C) analysis immediately following the construction and equipping of the tower, to determine whether Pago Pago International Airport qualifies for resumption of FAA tower services.
“It was imperative for us to include a benefit-to-cost analysis in the OTA,” the Governor said, adding that as of right now, FAA will not provide services because it is not cost beneficial. He added that if the numbers of travelers and flights go up during the period of construction, enough to change the B/C ratio, “then we will immediately move the FAA to resume their services to Pago Pago International Airport.”

Togiola said that the ASG is very thankful that an agreement has been reached.

“As soon as the flight touches down on the runway, we bear the responsibility. The OTA presents a major change to this dynamic. However, we are hopeful that with the fruition of our economic development initiatives that are being pursued and implemented, and other positive developments in our private sector and government, American Samoa’s air traffic will meet, within the next few years, the minimum balance that would require FAA to resume their services, as provided in the past,” the Governor said.

He expressed his gratitude to the FAA and recognized the assistance of Congressman Faleomavaega which has resulted in maintenance service being extended to American Samoa.

Togiola concluded by saying that he looks forward to working with the FAA to carry out the objects of the OTA to make American Samoa’s air traffic safer for the territory and its people.