The interim CEO of Samoa Airways (OL, Apia Faleolo) says he will await a report from the Samoa Airport Authority (SAA) before deciding if the airline will resume flights from Apia Fagali'i. CEO Fauo'o Fatu Tielu told the Samoa Observer outlet that the airport is slated to re-open on May 29, 2023, but he is still awaiting confirmation from the SAA that this will happen.
"We have to wait on Samoa Airport Authority to complete the work at the airport for preparations for the reopening of the airport," he said. "Because we have test flights we need to do during the reopening with our small operation plans before the airport reopens and only after all these are completed, then they can reopen but I do understand that SAA announced that they will reopen it on 29 May."
Fagali'i Airport, which features a 670 metre sealed runway, closed in 2019 for safety reasons, with all flights transferring to the nearby Apia Faleolo. Last year, the Samoan government flagged reopening Fagali'i for flights to American Samoa. Earlier this year, it was determined that it would cost WST3 million Samoan Tālā (USD1.1 million) to reopen the airport, with WST1.3 million (USD481,000) to be spent on resurfacing the runway and apron, WST1 million (USD370,000) to renovate the terminal, WST500,000 (USD185,000) for the establishment of airport fire services, and WST200,000 (USD74,000) for a security gate.
Samoa Airways was formerly known as Polynesian Airlines (Apia Fagali'i) and until 2017 operated turboprop flights around Samoa and American Samoa under that brand name. When Fagali'i's grassed airstrip was upgraded to asphalt in 2002, Polynesian Airlines was the exclusive operator there. The airport was subsequently closed between 2005 and 2009 over safety and community concerns. When it reopened, Polynesian Airlines came back with services to Pago Pago, and later, Maota Savai'i Island. But in 2018, the Samoan government handed over control of Fagali'i to the SAA, which closed it down the following year.
Samoa Airways now operates a fleet of three DHC-6-300s after its financially disastrous foray into B737-800s. Notably, the Twin Otters require a minimum required runway length of 762 meters, longer than the existing runway at Fagali'i. However, the Samoan government is reporting considering extending the runway by 100 meters.
