The Customs Department has been blamed for keeping passengers waiting by showing up late to clear the Polynesian Airlines flight to Pago Pago yesterday morning.
The Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Taua Lialialefao F. Tielu, said this is not the first time their flights have run behind schedule due to Custom officers’ tardiness.
“This has happened a number of times where they have been late to clear the plane,” he said. “It does affect our business.” Asked if Customs offered a reason for why they were late, Taua said they usually say it is because of the “lack of transport.”
He said the plane was supposed to take off at 8.30am, but according to an email from his Sales and Marketing Manager, Fonoti Michelene Taua’a, it was delayed by 33 minutes.
“So that means it must have left after 9am instead,” Taua said.
Fonoti was at the airport at the time and said the departure delay was due to Customs Officials arriving late to clear the airplane.
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“So we had to wait for them to come and sign off,” she said. “They are the only ones who can clear us for departure.
They were supposed to be here at 8.30, but there was a half hour delay. “We have already advised them about this problem.”
Passengers were annoyed at the delay, one ringing the Weekend Observer to complain that there were no staff at the airport.
Numerous attempts were made to contact Customs Assistant Chief Executive Officer (A.C.E.O.), Rima Ulu, for a comment, including via email.
The questions put to the A.C.E.O. are as follows: “Why were the Customs officials late in signing off the plane for departure?
“Was there a problem with the plane?
“If so, what was that problem?
“Does this sort of thing happen often?
“I thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I look forward to your response.”
At press time last night, the Customs Department had not responded.
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