Temporary VIP Lounge at PPG to replace one closed during COVID

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A temporary VIP Lounge will be built at the location of the old one at the Pago Pago International Airport, but a brand new one will be built when construction begins on the new airport terminal project.

This according to the Port Administration Director Falenaoti Lii-On Fruean at a Senate hearing last week.

She stated that the VIP Lounge was closed in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when the airport was being prepared according to heath safety requirements at the time, to cater for the arrival of flights from off-island carrying passengers who might be infected with the disease.

The work done at the time made the arrival area more spacious in anticipation of full flights of passengers who had been stuck in Hawaii and other places in the mainland.

However, funding ran out and the VIP Lounge could not be renovated, according to the Port Director, but she pointed out that they have managed to secure funding for this purpose.

She stated that last year the governor had urged everyone to be patient as a brand new VIP Lounge will be built when the new airport terminal project starts.

But the director revealed that last November they were informed in a meeting with the designers of the project that the area of the new airport terminal where the VIP Lounge will be situated near the departure area, will not be constructed until 2026.

So the Port Administration management has decided to build a temporary VIP Lounge where the old one was located to address the concerns of Fono and government members.

She stated that they have earmarked funds for this purpose and that the procurement process will begin soon.

Senator Utu asked if the temporary VIP Lounge they will be building would be torn down when the new airport terminal project gets underway, and the Port Director replied yes.

Utu stated that it was a waste of government money and this is because they did not have a definite plan to follow.

He also asked if the airport restaurant will be renovated at its old location, but Director Falenaoti stated that work on the restaurant has been halted due to the lack of funds.

Senator Tuiasina Salamo Tuia commented that these two parts of the airport are very important.

He pointed out that international airports in countries around the world make sure these two sections of the airport terminal are built with their functions in mind.

Tuiasina explained that every country receives important guests from other countries like heads of government, politicians, celebrities and so on, which is why a top-of-the-line VIP Lounge must be built because it reflects on that country’s government leaders.

He also emphasized that the traveling public and the public at large must also be taken into consideration.

The senator pointed out that travelers transiting at the airport, or any traveler for that matter, not to mention the public who will be at the airport to wait for friends and relatives from overseas, will need to have refreshments while they wait.

The matter was first raised in the Senate by President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean who recounted that it was when he had gone to officially greet the arrival of guests invited to attend the 75th Anniversary of the Fono that he found out there was no more VIP Lounge.

The 2024 State of the Territory Comprehensive Report points to a Tafuna International Airport Food Court Area being planned, as part of the revitalization master plans for the Territory. However, the project is only in the ‘talk stage, as funding is not identified. The project is a partnership with the Department of Port Admin (DPA) and Department of Commerce.