It’s been revealed that Samoa national carrier, Samoa Airways, has incurred losses of more than $37million tālā over the last two years.
Samoa Observer cites a report from the Ministry of Public Enterprises which shows the airline to be functionally bankrupt.
The report says the airline’s liabilities exceed its assets by more than $17.5 million.
The new Faatuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi government has said it is not sure how to deal with a Boeing 737-800 plane leased from the Netherlands.
The plane, on a six year lease, is currently in Brisbane, Australia undergoing certification and registration tests to allow it to fly between the island continent anD New Zealand and other regional airports.
Former MPE Minister Lautafi Fio Purcell has said the lease for the new aircraft was negotiated to less than $US50,000 monthly for the first 6 months and less than $US100,000 for the next 12 months.
Minister of Civil Aviation, Olo Fiti Va’ai told the newspaper the government is currently puzzled about what to do with a plane he alleged was leased as an attempted vote winner ahead of the April general elections.
