The Samoa Airways' interim Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.), Fauo'o Fatu Tielu said the airline is waiting on a report from the Samoa Airport Authority (S.A.A.) on the reconstruction and reopening of the Fagalii airport scheduled for the 29th of this month.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Fauo'o added that the future operations of the airline from the airport depended on this report.

"We have to wait on Samoa Airport Authority to complete the work at the airport for preparations for the reopening of the airport," he said.

"Because we have test flights we need to do during the reopening with our small operation plans before the airport reopens and only after all these are completed, then they can reopen but I do understand that S.A.A announced that they will reopen it on 29 May."

Attempts by the Samoa Observer on Monday to get comments from the C.E.O. of the S.A.A. Silimana’i Junior Solomona on the progress of their plans and preparations for the resumption of flights between Pago-Pago and Fagali’i were unsuccessful. 

This newspaper visited the currently shut airport on Monday this week and witnessed construction work being undertaken. The plan to re-open Fagali’i the Government for aviation purposes was revealed last year.

Meanwhile, this newspaper earlier this month revealed that the management and the executive of the S.A.A. are waiting for approval from the Cabinet on their proposal to re-open the airport on 29 May 2023.  It will cost SAT$3 million to carry out upgrading work on the Fagali’i airport.

The authority plans to renovate the terminal at Fagali’i and add more space for local businesses to cater to travelers between Samoa and American Samoa. The authority is also proposing that the runway be extended by 100 meters and resealed using asphalt. 

The Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Olo Fiti Va’ai in an interview with the Samoa Observer last year confirmed that the S.A.A. had already begun preparations to re-open the airport.

He said the closure of Fagali’i had dire effects on businesses around the aerodrome, and there was also a proposal from the American Samoa Government during the first Atoa o Samoa meeting last year to consider re-opening the airport.

Of the estimated cost of the extension work needed for Fagalii airport before its re-opening, $1.3 million will go towards runway resurfacing and apron, $1 million for renovating the terminal and also the VIP lounge, and fixing drainage and car park. An allocation of $500,000 will go towards getting a fire service set up as well as renovations needed for the building as well as $200,000 for a security gate.