Samoa’s plans to re-launch Polynesian Airlines to feed its flourishing tourism industry will be finalized this coming October.
Talamua Online says Polynesian Airlines almost bankrupt the country and led to the current partnership with Virgin Airlines.
Speaking at the launch of the privately owned Talofa Airways on Monday this week, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi advised the new airline owners not to make the same mistakes that sank the national carrier.
He referred to the practice of issuing free tickets as an “aiga basket” with “a buy now pay later” practice.
Tuilaepa said renown MPs who were not re-elected, left behind a huge pile of unpaid debts with the airline.
He said some church ministers also obtained free tickets to fundraise overseas and left behind some of the travelling party to overstay as investment for future fundraising.
The PM who was Minister of Finance when Polynesian was going through hard times said, “We had only one jet then and there were 500 employees.”
He compared that to Virgin Airlines which had 3 aircrafts operating in New Zealand and there were only 17 employees.
Tuilaepa said that was irresponsible.
“But we are re-instating our airline which the Government plans to finalize in October,” he declared.
“The studies and figures all point us to setting up our own airline.
“We will have a new airport with the first terminal opening in October,” he said. “We are preparing for takeoff.”
