Faleolo Airport

Samoa Airways, which provides ground handling services for the airport, recently installed new ground service equipment from China at a cost of $1.4 million tālā in September. But the cargo loader was purchased separately from Spain at a cost of $1.1 million tālā.

Tielu told the Samoa Observer there had been a four-month delay by the Spain-based supplier of the refurbished container loading equipment.

He said the supplier has confirmed the equipment is now ready but is waiting for shipment which is likely to take another two months depending on the shipment schedule.

Government-owned Savali Newspaper reports an estimated 3000 or more overseas delegates and media personnel are expected to attend, including King Charles the Third.

One of the major investments from the the Samoa Airport Authority is the construction of a new VIP Lounge.

Chief executive Silimanai Ueta. Jr Solomona said construction should be completed by August 2024 and will cost the Authority $6 million tala.

5W-TFL (msn 42805) was leased by the previous government in mid-2021 and was set to become Samoa Airways' first in-house narrowbody aircraft. However, on coming to power, the new administration immediately warned that it saw no need for the lease and moved to terminate it. The aircraft was only ferried as far as Brisbane Int'l, and although it was registered in Samoa, it never once landed on the island. It was deregistered and ferried back to Montpellier in early 2022, even as discussions about compensation for the early termination of the lease were ongoing.

The reminder was issued during a press conference by the Disaster Advisory Committee of the National Emergency Operation Centre.

The committee’s Chairman Agafili Tomaimano Shem Leo expressed concerns about the public gathering at the airport on flight days to see off families and friends.

Ahead of every repatriation flight week, the NEOC issues a Public Notice reminding the general public that access to all COVID-19 Quarantine sites is strictly prohibited as well as all people are prohibited from gathering at Airports or Wharves unless it is for permitted travel.

The flight arrived on Friday morning.

The passengers were checked by Ministry of Health as soon as they arrived at the Faleolo airport and straight away boarded vans to be self-isolated with specially assigned medical teams.

These passengers included stranded sports teams, RSE workers, students, government CEOs, returning diplomatic corps and families.

The Samoa Airport Authority (S.A.A.) offices will only operate from 9am until 3pm, in accordance with the national lockdown and state of emergency.

All stores, dining and airlines have closed and emptied from the airport.

Further, with no flights allowed in or out of the country, nor any date in place to lift the ban, Samoa Airways has closed its country offices in New Zealand, Australia and Samoa from Thursday.

However, phone lines remain open for future bookings, with the American Samoa office having limited business hours.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi said the aim is to develop the tourism industry to provide more employment opportunities and bring other benefits.

Tuilaepa said the Emirates partnership is one of several agreements the government is considering.

He also said the current joint venture with Virgin Australia is under review and may be extended, or ended.

The prime minister said another possibility is Samoa having its own airline servicing key global routes.

Samoa's Faleolo Airport has just undergone a $US15 million dollar refurbishment.