Faleolo Airport

Samoa Airways terminates lease for unwanted B737-800

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.

Samoa Government has restricted public gathering at the Faleolo Airport

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.

More than 100 passengers arrived safely in Samoa’s first repatriation flight

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.

Samoa's Faleolo International Airport closes due to Covid-19 outbreak in the Pacific

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.

Samoa hoping to attract Emirates Airlines

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.