Samoa Airways secures new aircraft

20 August 2017, 12:00AM

Samoa Airways will have her own aircraft a 737 from Icelandair Group when the renamed national carrier returns to international flights in November.

Details of the arrangement with Icelandair have yet to be made public but in confirming the arrangement the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said that Samoa Airways will start with one aircraft.

“The plan is for Samoa Airways to concentrate on the Apia Auckland, Apia-Sydney and Apia Brisbane routes,” he said.

“Research confirmed that the three routes have huge revenue potentials and it fits perfectly with our partnership with Fiji Airways.

“That partnership is designed for both airlines to share the revenues in terms of tickets sold.”

Icelandair initially made contact with the government for quite some time now with the Vice President Halldor Daddi Halldorsson meeting the Prime Minister in Apia as late as last year.

And since then the company have kept their hopes alive.

Icelandair Group is not new to the region.

It has a successful partnership with Air Niugini which has proven to be catalyst for Papua New Guinea’s international connections and for that country’s booming tourism industry.  And Icelandair currently leases five Boeing aircrafts to Air Niugini since their partnership started in 2007.

 “The primary target is for our national carrier to be resurrected properly not only as a profit making entity but most importantly to provide affordable airfares for our people and our tourists,” added the Prime Minister.

 “I am mindful of the challenges and obstacles and government is looking at all options to realize its targeted mission.

 “A reliable, consistent, affordable air fares and cost effective air services whilst exceeding our stakeholders’ expectation is paramount to government.”

20 August 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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