Airborne will offer its full line of express and freight services, and provide some of the fastest transit times to American Samoa. Depending on the pickup date, Airborne's transit time is between one and three days; some competitors take four days. Plus, Airborne is the only carrier to deliver express document shipments the same day they arrive on the islands. And with prior arrangement, Airborne will deliver shipments on Saturday.

"Our goal is simple: to provide the best, most cost-effective express and freight services to customers around the globe -- whether they be in New York, Tokyo or even Pago Pago," said Bruce Grout, vice president and general manager of Airborne's Far East region. "American Samoa is another positive step in our continuing efforts to expand and improve Airborne's international services."

Ringed by coral reefs and shallow lagoons, the islands of American Samoa are about 1,800 miles (2,900 kilometers) northeast of New Zealand. The territory has a total area of only 77 square miles (199 square kilometers).