The Samoa government is looking at the possibility of extending both ends of the airstrip at Fagali’i when it reopens for light aircraft to and from American Samoa.
The Minister of Civil Aviation, Olo Fiti Va’ai, told Parliament yesterday that the Fagali’i airstrip will be reopened by the Fa’atuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi government.
Deputy Opposition Leader Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo questioned the minister regarding the safety of the short runway which was the reason why the airport was closed by the previous government.
Olo said they plan to use government land west of the runway to extend to.
He said they are also looking at the possibility of using a bridge at the other end over the valley because planes are light.
The airstrip has been through many closures with Sunday flights affected because of complaints from nearby villages of noise during church services.
The recent closure was because of safety after many close incidents when planes have gone over the runway proper and nearly crashing into the security fencing.
The airport was handed over to police to be used as a testing facility for drivers and vehicles.
Olo said many people from Fagalii and nearby villages had lost their livelihood with the closure and he wants to reopen the airstrip to allow these businesses to reopen and give more jobs for the district.
“Let’s go back to where there was gold,” he said.
Regarding the Ti’avea airstrip at Aleipata Olo said there are no plans to resume construction work there.
