People will now pay twice when exiting the Faleolo International Airport as the exit fee at the gate doubled from $5 to $10. 

The gate fee is paid by the vehicles leaving the airport after either dropping off or picking up passengers.

The sudden increase is believed to have taken effect on Tuesday 4 February, according to a security officer at the airport’s exit gate.

 Despite the change, the signage at the airport still displayed the old $5 exit fee. When questioned about the discrepancy, the security officer stated the sign would be updated the following day. However, no official notice had been posted anywhere in the airport to inform passengers of the increase beforehand.

The fee increase means the Samoa Airport Authority now generates double the revenue from those exiting the gates.

On Wednesday 5 February, four flights arrived in Samoa, and four flights departed, carrying a significant number of travellers subject to the new fee. The flights were two Air New Zealand-operated Airbus A321-271NX flights, each with a seating capacity of 214. 

The airline also operated a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner which holds 302 passengers. Additionally, a Fiji Airways flight carrying 170 passengers arrived and departed the same day. Wednesday alone welcomed approximately 900 passengers and farewelled 900 passengers.

Based on flight data and industry trends, Samoa receives a substantial number of passengers each week. The busiest routes to Faleolo International Airport originate from Auckland, New Zealand, and Brisbane, Australia, accounting for 66 per cent of all arrivals.

Estimated weekly passenger arrivals are as follows:

• Auckland to Apia: 14 flights per week, averaging 2,520 passengers
• Brisbane to Apia: 7 flights per week, averaging 1,260 passengers
• Other routes (34 per cent of arrivals): 10 flights per week, averaging 1,800 passengers

In total, approximately 5,580 passengers arrive in Samoa each week by air.

The unannounced fee hike has raised concerns among travellers and industry observers. As of now, there has been no official statement from airport management addressing the change or explaining the reason behind the increase. 

The Samoa Observer has reached out to the chief executive officer of Samoa Airport Authority, Tumanuvao Evile Falefatu, and the Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure, Olo Fiti Vaai, but emails have been left unanswered.