The member of parliament for Faleata No.3 Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi has urged the Samoan government to consider establishing scheduled domestic flights between the islands of Savai'i and Upolu. 

His call came during a discussion in Parliament on the Economic Sector Committee’s Report on the Annual Report of the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) for the 2022/2023 Financial Year.

Lealailepule expressed his support for the three key recommendations in the report but highlighted additional areas where he believes the government should focus on further developing the tourism sector. 

One of his primary concerns was the lack of scheduled flights between the two islands, which he believes could significantly improve connectivity and provide greater convenience for travellers.

“I understand that flights between Savai'i and Upolu are only available on an emergency basis,” Lealailepule noted. 

“However, regular, scheduled flights would greatly benefit passengers, especially when ferry services are disrupted, as we saw recently with the bad weather conditions.”

Lealailepule referenced the significant disruption of inter-island ferry services due to adverse weather conditions two weeks ago, which left hundreds of passengers stranded at the domestic wharves. 

Many individuals, he pointed out, missed their flights out of Samoa because they could not travel between the islands in time. 

This incident underscored the importance of alternative travel options, such as scheduled domestic flights, to ensure uninterrupted connectivity, particularly for those with tight travel schedules or business commitments.

In addition to passenger convenience, Lealailepule also emphasised the financial investment the government has made in maintaining the Maota domestic airport in Savai'i. 

Despite these ongoing maintenance costs, the airport remains underused, as there are no regular flights between the islands. 

"The government is spending a significant amount of money on the airport’s upkeep, and we must utilise this infrastructure by maintaining regular flights. Business owners and other travellers who need to move between the islands for meetings and urgent matters would benefit greatly," he argued.

Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa who also serves as the Minister for Tourism responded to the suggestion by reaffirming that flights between Savai'i and Upolu are still viewed primarily as an emergency service. 

She acknowledged the importance of connectivity but noted that the government must carefully evaluate the feasibility of establishing regular flights taking into account demand and logistical challenges.