Amid preparations to resume flights at the Fagalii airport on Tuesday, local airlines flying the Apia–Pago Pago route have increased their airfares. 

For passengers hoping to fly private-owned Talofa Airways to the U.S. territory, the airfare has increased from SAT$676 to SAT$767 for a return ticket including tax which passengers also have to pay. Airfares charged by the State-owned Samoa Airways have also increased from SAT$822 to SAT$835 for a return ticket while a one-way ticket will increase from SAT$420 to SAT$492.

Both airlines' flights are fully booked this week ahead of the resumption of the much-anticipated service at Fagalii airport this Tuesday.

Samoa's Minister of Public Enterprises, Leatinuu Wayne Fong explained while speaking on the EFKS Soalepule televised program that the increase in airfares is reasonable with the shifting of operations to Fagalii as it incurred a cost for both airlines and the Samoa Airport Authority.

"We have to look at the landing fee, take-off fee, Samoa Airways' rent to Samoa Airport Authority, and bringing the newly employed staff to service Fagalii, which means money will always be needed," he said. 

Leatinuu said with the old system at the Faleolo International Airport, there was only one crew who carried out these responsibilities for both the Apia-Pago Pago route and Apia. He said Samoa Airways only paid "one rent" fee when they worked at Faleolo.

“Now a whole crew will be shifted to Fagalii, this means there will be two rents to be paid," the Minister said. "Remember it’s not just the new staff but there will also be new computers, new desks, and more will be needed."

Samoa Observer visited the Fagalii airport on Monday and was able to confirm preparations were underway at the airport for the resumption of flights. There were test flights on the runway while staff were furnishing the Fagalii Airport's offices for the arrival of passengers this week.

Samoa Airport Authority (S.A.A.) General Manager, Silimanai Ueta Solomona confirmed that the flights will be operational by Tuesday this week following the receipt of the Certificate of the Aerodrome from the authority two weeks ago.

"Samoa Airways has confirmed that flights will start next Tuesday and we received the certificate last week Saturday," he said.

Samoa Airways' interim Chief Executive Officer Fauo'o Fatu Tielu also confirmed when contacted by this newspaper that the flights will start operating on Tuesday with the normal schedule of five flights per day.

"Yes, starting next week Tuesday the flights will start operating on the normal schedule, that is five flights per day or maybe more if busy, except for Sunday where there will be only three flights between Samoa and Pago Pago," he said.