After a marathon 15-hour flight from Faleolo, one of Samoa Airways' three Twin Otters, identified by the registration 5W FAW, successfully landed at Hilo Airport in Hawaii.

This marks the first leg of its journey to Calgary, Canada, where the aircraft will undergo an extensive retrofit. 

This initiative, spearheaded by Samoa's national carrier, aims to ensure the continued service of the aircraft between Samoa and American Samoa.

Canadian company Planes and Parts Ltd is managing the ferrying of the aircraft from Apia to Canada and back. Two pilots from the company spent two days in Samoa, working closely with Samoa Airways' technical staff to prepare the aircraft for its long journey. 

They installed three inflatable fuel tanks to guarantee an adequate fuel supply for the flight from Faleolo to Hilo, Hawaii. Following a refuelling and rest stop in Hilo, the pilots will continue to Santa Maria, California, before finally reaching Calgary.

Fauo’o Taua Fatu Tielu, Chief Executive Officer of Samoa Airways, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, "This is an exciting time for Samoa Airways as we launch this new project to retrofit our aircraft to prioritize safety and reliability for the traveling public." 

He also mentioned, "The aircraft is anticipated to return to Samoa around November this year, just in time for our bustling Christmas season."

Last month, Samoa Airways signed a contract with Unity Aviation Canada Ltd to carry out the refurbishment of two of its three aircraft. 

The comprehensive scope of work includes rewiring the entire aircraft, repairing the fuselage, wings, lower cowl, and engine harness, and addressing any corrosion. 

The aircraft will also be disassembled for repainting and rewiring. The cockpit will be upgraded to a Garmin G1000 system, excluding the autopilot option. Additionally, all doors and seats will be either repaired or replaced, and various other necessary tasks will be completed to rejuvenate the aircraft for extended future use.

"This project costs Samoa Airways USD $2.5 million per aircraft, funded by the airline and loan financing. 

While it is a significant investment, it is money well spent considering the various mechanical and engineering tasks that Unity Aviation Canada Ltd will undertake while the aircraft is in Canada," explained Fauo’o. 

He further detailed the scope of the project, which includes a complete dinitrol treatment of the fuselage, wings, and flight controls, conducting SIE wing relief and licensing fees for both wings, replacing existing seats, renewing the cabin interior and floor, and fully stripping and repainting the aircraft, among other necessary maintenance procedures.

To ensure the project's success, Samoa Airways' Manager of Safety and Quality Systems, along with a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (LAME), will travel to Canada to collaborate with Unity Aviation during the aircraft's disassembly. 

They will return later in the year to oversee the reassembly process before the aircraft flies back to Apia. 

Additionally, aircraft maintenance engineers and pilots will be sent to Canada for training on the maintenance and operation processes and procedures of the refurbished aircraft.

The second Twin Otter aircraft is expected to begin its journey to Canada for refurbishment in January 2025, continuing Samoa Airways' commitment to enhancing its fleet's safety, reliability, and service quality.