Samoa Airways fined for illegal boarding of former govt minister

Apia, SAMOA — Samoa's Attorney General has fined Samoa Airways after the airline allowed Samoa's former Police Associate Minister Fepuleai Faasavalu Faimata Su'a to board the flight without a valid permit to enter American Samoa.

The Samoa Observer reported Su'a was subsequently asked to resign from his post.

He did not have a 30-day entry permit and he did not obtain a seven-day waiver for an entry permit or an 'OK to Board' permit prior to his arrival in American Samoa.

Samoa Airways has been fined US$500.

The airline's chief executive and Samoa government officials have apologized for the non-compliance.