Samoa Airways is being fined for carrying a passenger, who did not have legal authority to enter the territory.
The passenger was Samoa’s Associate Minister of Police Fepuleai Fa’asavalu Faimata Su’a, who traveled here on Samoa Airways November 3 without a 30-day permit or an OK Board.
The Samoan politician claimed that he thought his diplomatic passport was sufficient for travel into the territory. He was detained by immigration at the airport, until his local host/sponsor was able to obtain a permit for him that same morning. The incident has led to the Associate Minister’s removal from his position.
Attorney General Fainuulelei Alailima–Utu said that Samoa Airways is fined for non-compliance with ASCA 41.0604© which states, “It shall be the duty of every person, including the owners, masters, captains, officers and agents of vessels or aircraft bringing an alien to, or providing a means for an alien to come to American Samoa to prevent the landing of such person in American Samoa without the required documents listed in 41.0502 ASCA unless, otherwise relieved of such duty in writing by the Attorney General.”
The law further states that: Any such person, owner, master, captain or officer or agent who fails to comply with the foregoing requirements shall be liable for a penalty to be imposed by the Attorney General of up to $1,000 for each such violation.
Alailima-Utu said, considering the circumstances, including an apology by the CEO of Samoa Airways and apologies from Samoa Government officials, the airline was fined $US500. Samoa Airways was given until December 3 to pay the fine.
Samoa Observer reports the CEO of Samoa Airways, Fauoo Fatu Tielu, confirmed he had apologized to the American Samoa Government for allowing Fepuleai to board the plane without proper documentation. He said the responsible check-in agent at Samoa Airways, who allowed Fepuleai to board, will be held accountable for her negligence.
