International airports in American Samoa, Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands will assist the Faleolo International Airport with the anticipated influx of aircraft and private jets in October of this year for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). 

This was confirmed by the Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure (M.W.T.I.), Olo Fiti Vaai in response to queries from this newspaper earlier this week. 

Olo said they are expecting a lot of aircraft bringing in the delegates for CHOGM in October. 

Looking ahead, Olo said they will be using the airports in the neighboring countries as the Faleolo International Airport cannot hold all the expected aircraft and private jets. 

Olo in a previous interview also confirmed that the ministry is considering upgrading the Maota domestic airport in Savaii for the same purpose. 

"Amongst other infrastructure upgrades, if not already in the process, we aim to improve road infrastructure (patch up damaged roads, safety awareness programs, road signs), ensure water drainages are cleared and reinforced, public car parking modifications, meeting venues modifications and refurbishment if needed," said Olo. 

The Cabinet last year activated its National C.H.O.G.M. Taskforce Committee to spearhead preparations for the meeting. 

The Committee is the decision-making authority that is responsible for ensuring the successful delivery of the C.H.O.G.M. in October next year in Apia. Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata'afa is the Chairperson of the Taskforce and is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 

The dates for the summit have already been confirmed, according to the Prime Minister, who indicated that it will start on the week commencing 21 October 2024. 

She also said there is a need to hold consultations with the private sector and the business community and keep them in the loop of the preparations leading up to the big event. 

The need for a collective effort from everyone including the hoteliers, internet service providers, the media, the business community, and the private sector is also essential, says the Prime Minister. 

Fiamē at the time confirmed that the country could use other airports to hold all the incoming aircraft. 

"We could ask American Samoa which is nearby whether they could offer their airport for the jet planes. But we will look into that later on once we finalise how many people are coming and how many of them that will be coming in their planes," the Prime Minister said, in response to the question.

Samoa's hosting of the 2024 event will mark the first time a Pacific member country will host a C.H.O.G.M. The conference brings together leaders and delegations from 54 Commonwealth nations across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Pacific, and Europe. The leaders of Commonwealth countries meet every two years, hosted by different member countries on a rotating basis since 1971.

King Charles as the Head of the Commonwealth Nations will also be traveling to Samoa for the meeting and will be his first meeting as the Head of Commonwealth.