Samoa Airways

Chief Executive Officer Seiuli Alvin Tuala, said ‘the airline is pleased to be able to open the office in what is a strategic location’. Seiuli added that ‘the temporary travel centre will make the Airline more accessible and help it to better cater to the needs of the important Samoan-community in and around the greater Manukau region’.

With the support of the Government of Samoa through the Office of the Consul General, the Airline has secured prime retail space on the ground floor of the new Complex, where the Airline’s new Travel Centre and Call Centre will be located.

The Samoa Observer reported CEO Seiuli Alvin Tuala told them last week to seek answers from the prime minister regarding the lease cost.

This was after Tuilaepa told the newspaper to ask Seiuli if they wanted to know the exact amount of the lease, rumoured to be US$500,000 a fortnight.

The CEO was quoted saying he did not wish to comment and that it would be best to ask the prime minister.

Questions from the Samoa Observer were emailed and sent in a letter but have not garnered any response.

The plane is on lease from Iceland Air.

An official Cabinet decision was circulated last week urging all government travel to be on the new national carrier on flights to and from New Zealand and Australia.

It also urges all those who are traveling on sponsored trips to ask the sponsor to book travel on Samoa Airways.

The airline has apparently not received any funding from government to start operations, but questions have arisen after allegations that it is costing $US500,000 to lease the plane it now operates.

This is expected to improve the airline’s capabilities to fly to other destinations such as Brisbane and Melbourne as well as Wellington and Christchurch in New Zealand.

For that to happen, your national carrier is in dire need of your patriotic support, beseeched Airlines Minister Lautafi Fio Selafi Purcell in his address to re-launch the Faleolo-Sydney direct flights which has disappeared for many years.

“Two years from now, the plan is to secure a third Boeing and in five years, your national carrier should have a fleet of five Boeing aircrafts,” said Lautafi. 

Launching the airline's direct flights from Sydney to Apia, Lautafi Fio Selafi Purcell said Samoa Airways is in dire need of patriotic support.

He said if well supported the airline should be in a position at the end of its first year to acquire a second jet, allowing services to Brisbane, Melbourne, Wellington and Christchurch.

The minister said in two years a third plane was possible, and a fourth in five years, eventually building to a fleet of five aircraft.

Samoa Airways flight OL731 arrived before 11am on Tuesday, carrying dignitaries and passengers including Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi.

The airline has been rebranded from the state-owned Polynesian Airlines.

The new airline came about after the Samoan Government announced in May that it was walking away from Virgin Samoa, its joint venture with Virgin Australia Holdings, to go it alone, RNZ reported.

Samoa Airlines replaces Polynesian Air, which has just ended the second of two lengthy joint ventures - arrangements Tuila'epa said did not work.

He told the official launch of Samoa Airways in Apia that operating independently is the only option that will work for Samoa.

RNZI reports Tuilaepa pointed to Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji and Tahiti all running their own airlines.

The Prime Minister did not mix his words in his speech to officially launch the brand new, national airline.

The airline will finally join the international arena of airways in this modern era of technology both globally and within the Pacific Region, initially with flights between Samoa, NZ and Australia. 

The 737-800 aircraft arrived at Faleolo International Airport in Apia on Saturday morning completing its maiden trip from Europe where it was fitted with new livery.

Customers will be able to enjoy complimentary movies, T.V shows and music onboard by streaming the airline’s ‘Faafiafiaga Entertainment’ channel with their mobile, tablet or laptop. 

Samoa Airways announced at Future Travel Experience Asia in Singapore that it will deploy AirFi’s portable wireless IFE on its Boeing 737-800 aircraft. 

According to Samoa Airways CEO, Seiuli Alvin Tuala, the IFE system will be a “cornerstone” of the carrier’s plans to modernize and reinvigorate the in-flight experience for passengers.

The new airline will fly six times a week between Apia and Auckland from next Tuesday, stepping up to daily from December 17.

Samoa Airways is using a Boeing 737-800 leased from Icelandair Group with 170 seats, including eight in business class.

Last month the Samoan government refused an application by Virgin Australia to fly five times a week, affecting about 6000 passengers and causing concern in the travel industry about reduced competition on the route.