In a strong critique during his weekly press conference, Opposition Leader Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi voiced his disapproval of the Samoa Airport Authority’s (SAA) proposed fee increases. 

He expressed deep disappointment over the announcement that various charges, including the departure tax, aviation security fee, and parking fees, would see significant hikes.

The Samoa Airport Authority recently hosted a public consultation regarding these proposed fee increases, during which they outlined their plans to raise the departure tax from $65 to $100, increase the aviation security fee from $5 to $100, and raise the parking fee from $5 to $10. In addition, new charges for the VIP Terminal were also revealed.

The parking fee increase has already been implemented, with the charge now set at $10. However, the departure tax and aviation security fee hikes are expected to follow soon, meaning travellers will soon face an additional $130 added to their airline fares—$35 for the departure tax and $95 for the aviation security fee. 

Currently, the combined total for these two charges right now is $70.

SAA’s Chief Executive Officer, Tumanuvao Evile Falefatu, justified the increases by referencing the 2012 SAA Act, which mandates changes to develop the airport infrastructure in line with global standards. He emphasised that similar increases have been implemented in countries like New Zealand, where such charges are seen as necessary for development.

However, Tuilaepa vehemently opposed these changes, stating that the move is particularly concerning given the current state of Samoa's economy and the rising cost of living. 

"We are deeply disappointed by that move," Tuilaepa remarked. "In this economy, and with the high cost of living we already face, these kinds of decisions are unwarranted." 

He further questioned how the government could justify such increases when airfares were already high. The Opposition Leader also referenced the government's decision to cancel the plan to bring in an aircraft, which he argued would have helped lower airfare costs for Samoans.

Tuilaepa urged the government to reconsider the proposed fee hikes, stressing that it is the last thing the people of Samoa need at this time. "How can people agree to these increases? We should not be burdening our citizens further," he added.