Fagali’i Airport is now reopened, but flights to and from American Samoa are still using Faleolo International Airport — for now.
The reopening on Monday comes four years after the airport was shut down by the former administration over safety concerns.
At the dedication ceremony Civil Aviation Minister, Olo Fiti Va’ai, assured that the airport is safe for use.
The cost of re-opening the airport for the Samoa Airport Authority was SAT$2.6 million.
Olo said the re-opening is in line with the roadmap ‘Pathway for the Development of Samoa 2021-2026.’
He said that the closure of Fagali’i airport not only impacted the business community in Fagali’i but also affected the other two domestic airports in Savai’i, Maota and Asau.
The minister is optimistic that reopening the airport will be beneficial to travelers between Savai’i, Upolu and American Samoa, and will also boost the economy of the country with flights bringing in more people to Samoa.
Other extension work for Fagali’i Airport include the runway and apron resurfacing, renovating the terminal and the VIP lounge, as well as fixing drainage and the parking lot.
Samoa Airways is planning to use Fagali’i for inter-Samoa flights sometime in June, while Talofa Airways is looking at a July start up date.
Photos: Samoa Observer
