The Samoa Airways Twin Otter aircraft that is based here for flights to Manu’a operated a charter flight to Apia today.
Airline officials said the charter was to take McConnell Dowell personnel who were returning to New Zealand via Faleolo Airport to connect with an Air New Zealand flight that arrived this afternoon.
Only the McConnell Dowell employees were on the charter. The return flight from Apia did not bring any passengers.
At a press conference in Apia late this morning , the Acting Chairman of Samoa’s National Emergency Operations Committee Agafili Shem Leo said that Samoa’s border with American Samoa remains opened.
However American Samoa maintains a ban on flights and the inter island ferry from Samoa. He also revealed that American Samoa had requested a charter and the government is accommodating the request from the territory. KHJ News understands he was referring to the McConnell Dowell charter.
Agafili said the government hopes that the time is near for transportation services between the two Samoas to reopen and pointed out that there are many in American Samoa wanting to return home to Samoa and vice versa.
The Samoa Government official said they’re also eager for American Samoa to give approval for the ferry service to resume as this is the time of the year that people on both sides want to send foodstuffs and gifts for their families.
