A total of 121,547 visitors including tourists have visited Samoa since the country's international borders reopened for travellers in August last year. 

Prior to the country's borders reopening, it had been closed for over two years as part of the Government's efforts to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Samoa's total visitor numbers were confirmed by the Minister of Work Transport and Infrastructure, Olo Fiti Va'ai, during the Government response in the Parliament last week. 

Olo, whose ministerial portfolio also includes the country's aviation sector, told the Parliament that the increase in the visitor numbers is a result of a spike in daily flights of between four and five which is unprecedented.

He said the Samoa Airport Authority gets its revenue from aircraft landing fees as well as the use of the country's airspace above 244 feet, which generates over SAT$1 million annually and SAT$200,000 from aircraft that fly below 244 feet.  

A number of Members of Parliament raised concerns at the delayed flights into and out of Faleolo International Airport and scheduling during the festive season.

However, Olo in response said some of these issues were the result of rearrangements by the airlines to their flight schedules, as there are only two belt loader machines at the airport, which are used for loading and unloading of luggage. 

He then emphasised that the primary goal of the Government is to negotiate more partnerships with multiple airlines in order to create competition between airlines so prices can drop and be affordable.

Flights to Samoa are currently operated by Air New Zealand with its Apia/Auckland service, Qantas with its Apia/Sydney/Brisbane service, and Fiji Airways with its Apia/Nadi/Honolulu service.