Samoa Airlines

The government has announced an investigation into the cash-strapped national airline.

The Minister of Public Enterprises, Leatinu'u Wayne So'oialo, is chairing a special Cabinet committee looking into the missing financial statements.

The ministry reported in August the airline had lost more than US$14-million over the last two financial years due to the closed borders.

In a statement the company said it has been hampered by a lack of staff since the pandemic began.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi told national radio it is time to earn some revenue, particularly with repatriation flights currently being monopolised by Air New Zealand.

He said without competition, airfares to and from Samoa have increased dramatically.

He pointed out that there is a weekly freight flight to Samoa which Samoa Airways could take over.

The former Samoa Airways flight attendant had to make a life changing decision in order to adapt to the new normal.

The 27-year-old has returned to his first love of plantation work and tour guide at Lalotalie River Retreat in his village. 

“I have been working on the plantations my whole life. Even though I travelled with my job I’ve never forgotten where I started and I’ve always come back to the village.”

“My family loves working on the plantations and we are still growing taro for export” he added

KHJ News reports Lolo as saying that, at this preliminary stage, to get around the US cabotage rule, the airline will fly to American Samoa from Apia, pick up the territory's passengers, and then return to Apia, before the flight departs for LA.

Meanwhile Samoa Airways is continuing to operate on a wet lease agreement with an aircraft from Malindo Air, a Singapore-owned airline, based in Malaysia.