Virgin Samoa

Virgin Australia to continue flights to Samoa

Virgin Australia will have eight flights a week to Apia from Auckland, Brisbane and Sydney starting from November 13 2017.

Under the new schedule, Virgin plans to offer five flights a week on the Apia-Auckland route, two flights a week on Apia-Sydney and a once weekly service between Apia and Brisbane with Boeing 737-800s featuring eight business and 168 economy seats.

The flights are subject to Samoan government approval.

Samoa PM downplays Virgin excise rebate claims

“It’s nothing new," said the Prime Minister. 

“I had expected the claim, in fact there may be more claims not only from Virgin Australia (government’s partner in the Virgin Samoa joint airline venture) but we also have claims of our own that need to be sorted out.

“Simply put, it’s like divorce proceedings between a couple.“Before the divorce papers are signed the couple meets to negotiate how their assets and finances are equally and fairly divided between the spouses. “That is the same process that our officials and Virgin Australia are engaging in.”

Samoa poised to end joint venture with Virgin

Last week, the airline's licence was extended by the government which said this would allow for negotiations.

Tuilaepa says once the joint venture is wound up, the national carrier will be re-established.

RNZI reports the Virgin Samoa joint venture has lasted ten years.

In his radio address Tuila'epa said not enough tourists have arrived to make use of local hotels and he advised local hotel managers to consider lowering their room rates.