Samoa Airways is considering an upgrade of its aging Twin Otter aircraft as it continues to service the American Samoa and Apia route.

The national airline currently has three aircraft with one grounded for over two years and the other two flying the American Samoa–Apia route. 

One of the Twin Otter aircraft is 49 years old, according to the airline's Chief Executive Officer, Fauo’o Fatu Tielu when he confirmed the age of the fleet and the upgrade options that they are looking at. 

He said the 49-year-old Twin Otter has been grounded for the past two years due to air corrosion, the second one is aged 43 years and the third one is 38 years.

“The grounded aircraft is awaiting a report and certification from P.A.S.O. [Pacific Aviation Safety Office] and that aircraft was only bought in 2016,” said Fauo’o.

The C.E.O. also pointed out that their fleet of aircraft had yet to reach their required maximum of 6,600 flying hours and the current fleet has only logged 4,500 flying hours. 

The Minister of Public Enterprises, Leatinuu Wayne So’oialo said the Government is willing to support the upgrading or the renewal of Samoa Airways fleet. 

Leatinuu, who is also the responsible Minister for Samoa Airways, said the airline's management has been instructed to provide options on how the fleet upgrade can be done. 

Besides the aircraft upgrade, Samoa's national airline will also upgrade its ground handling equipment at the Faleolo International Airport. 

In relation to the upgrading of the Samoa Airways fleet, Fauo’o said some of the options they are looking at is to have the three aircraft stripped and rebuilt completely. 

Another option is to look into purchasing an upgraded version of the Twin Otter planes, either the Twin Otter 400 or 300G, though Fauo’o indicated that they are also exploring the option of getting a different aircraft model to replace the current fleet.