Still unclear when airlines will begin flying from Fagalii Airport

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Despite Samoa Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure Olo Fiti Afoa Vaai’s full throated defense of the safety of Fagalii Airport, the Samoa Airport Authority (SAA) has yet to submit aerodrome certification for the recently commissioned airport, which the Samoa Airways interim CEO says is a requirement before their flights can commence.

The Samoa Observer is reporting that Fauo'o Fatu Tielu, in an interview on Saturday, said that there is a meeting scheduled for this week Wednesday between the State-owned airline and the authority.

He said the SAA had failed to sign off on the safety requirements for the airport with the certification of the aerodrome report yet to be submitted. 

"We had the meeting but we are still waiting on the authority to provide the certificate of the aerodrome and that's the last part we're waiting on then we'll operate the flights as soon as possible," said Fauo'o. "So maybe by Tuesday next week, they will be able to provide that then we'll have the flights ready and be operational after everything is completed.

"All flights are ready to fly from our side, but just that one part we need them to complete then we're set to go."

Asked for an estimated time on when he expects Fagalii Airport to be operational after the certificate is submitted, Fauo'o said it will depend on a meeting with the SAA which is now scheduled for Tuesday. 

In a press release dated June 5, Olo assured the public that the Fagalii Airport had met all safety requirements and was ready for operations. “We would like to assure the public that the airport is safe to operate as usual,” Olo was quoted in the press release.

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