Fagali'i Airport

Samoa Airways aircraft sustains damage

It said maintenance costs could mean higher airfares.

According to Samoa Global News, the airline's chief executive Fauoo Fatu Tielu said the aircraft's tyres have been damaged by uneven seal on the runway.

In addition, he said some pilots have questioned the safety of the airport, raising queries about the short runway at Fagali'i.

These concerns include the location of power poles and a Digicel tower which pose a risk during landing.

And Tielu said at night they have to move staff back to Faleolo so flights can continue.

     

Samoa’s Fagali'i Airport re-opens

Minister of Samoa Airport Authority Olo Fiti Vaai said the airport has met all the required standards, and the runway has been extended from 700 to 800 metres.

Other work needed for Fagali'i Airport included the runway and apron resurfacing, renovating the terminal and the VIP lounge, and fixing drainage and the car park.

Samoa Airways is now using the airport, and Talofa Airways said it planned to begin flying into Fagali'i in July.

     

Samoa's Fagali'i Airport to close over safety concerns

The Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Papali'i Niko Lee Hang, said the Ministry of Police would take over the site.

The minister told the Samoa Observer all flights would now operate out of Faleolo International Airport.

Fagali'i Airport had failed to meet international standards and must be closed down for safety reasons, he said.

He said that Fagalii had also become the gateway for drugs smuggled into the country, with drug dogs only occasionally able to patrol.

Fagali'i' was unsafe and the runway was deteriorating.

Samoa's new airport to be built on swampland

Fagali'i Airport would also continue to be used, but because of its close location to neighbouring American Samoa, Ti'avea would be in operation during bad weather, said Minister for Works, Transport and Infrastructure Papali'i Niko Lee Hang.

The Minister also revealed the land being used was swampland, which would need to be reclaimed, Samoa Observer reported.

In May, a memorandum of agreement and a deed of settlement was signed between the Government and families who owned the land.