The Samoa Airways' third Twin Otter aircraft has been successfully repaired and certified fit by the Samoa Civil Aviation Authority, boosting the national airline's services and revenue to pay their rent at Fagalii Airport.

Starting from Sunday 24 September 2023, Samoa Airways' flights on Mondays for the Apia-Pago Pago route will resume. Samoa Airways has been flying only six days of the week, Tuesday to Sunday, between the two Samoas since international borders were reopened more than 12 months ago in August 2022.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, interim Chief Executive Officer, Fauoo Fatu Tielu said the resumption of flights to and from Pago Pago and Fagalii is a great help for the airline.

"The Twin Otter which was undergoing repairs was completed around May but we waited for the Civil Aviation Authority to complete and carry out the certification before it can fly and that has been completed," he said.

"It's a really great boost for us because at the moment, we are only flying this route from Tuesday to Sunday and mind you, we are paying rent at Fagalii Airport, so adding more flights helps us earn more and pay for our rent."

A notice by the airline was issued on Friday to announce the commencement of flights on Monday for the Apia-Pago Pago route.

"Samoa Airways is pleased to announce that, from the week beginning Sunday 24 September 2023, it will commence scheduled flights on Mondays between Fagalii Airport in Samoa and Tafuna Airport in American Samoa," the notice reads.

"This follows the recertification by Samoa's Civil Aviation Authority of its third Twin Otter aircraft which has been undergoing repairs and maintenance for the last 12 months.

"This means it will now fly every day between the two Samoas with 3 scheduled flights on Sundays between Faleolo and Tafuna; then the rest of the week between Fagalii and Tafuna with 4 scheduled flights on Monday and 5 every day for the remainder of the week.

"This is intended to increase capacity and provide our customers the convenience of flying from and to Fagalii."