Samoa Airline Venture to Offer Travel Alternatives

fiji-airways

A new airline owned by the Samoa Government looks set to increase direct flights to Honolulu giving Hawaiian Airlines competition and travelers from American Samoa travel options to the US.

The new venture, set to take over when Samoa’s deal with Virgin Australia expires, will be part of a partnership between Fiji Airways and Samoa, that has been under discussion for some time now.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi confirmed in a television interview this week that a Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties is close to being signed.

Shaenaz Voss, Fiji Airways Executive General Manager Corporate Affairs, confirmed an agreement in principal, but she told Fiji Sun no further details could be released.

She’s quoted saying, “We have an agreement in principal with the Samoan Government to assist them with support for their new national airline,” adding the exact nature of this support is still subject to negotiations.

The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation daily email news service, Blue Swan Daily reports that Fiji Airways could help the Samoa Government acquire a Boeing 737NG for the new flag carrier.

“Fiji Airways would train crew and provide support to the new airline,” reported Blue Swan Daily.

The new aircraft is expected to take over Virgin Samoa’s current routes between Samoa and Australia and New Zealand.

According to Blue Swan Daily, Fiji’s partnership with the Samoa Government would also include a joint venture covering any additional flights that Fiji Airways operates from Samoa.

Under this arrangement, Fiji Airways could soon be operating up to three weekly return flights from Apia to Honolulu.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa confirmed these reports but said a date is yet to be set for signing the MOU.

 

 

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