Samoa Airway’s twin otter aircraft was welcomed back after being retrofitted in Canada. The aircraft has returned after a total overhaul making it the first of the three aircraft that will undergo the same process.

It was due to return in November with the old parts being removed and new ones fitted.

The twin otter was welcomed back in an official ceremony at the Samoa Airways hangar on Friday night which featured a blessing ceremony.

The aircraft, registered under Samoa Airways as 5W-FAW, was under the care of Unity Aviation Canada Ltd.

The Unity crew removed the engines, props, flight controls, wings, H/Stab, V/Stab, rudder, elevators, interior, and avionics. The fuel system was also dismantled, and the wings were painted.

"This marks an exciting milestone for Samoa Airways as the retrofit project to enhance safety and reliability for our passengers," Fauo’o Fatu Tielu, Samoa Airways Chief Executive Officer had stated previously.

 Two pilots from Planes and Parts Ltd, a Canadian company contracted by Samoa Airways flew the aircraft to Calgary, stopping in Hawaii and then flew the plane back.

There were three additional fuel tanks installed inside the aircraft for the marathon 15-hour flight directly from Faleolo to Hilo Hawaii, where the crew rested before continuing to Canada.

“The retrofit project, funded by Samoa Airways and loan financing, represents a significant investment that promises a high return, given the extensive mechanical and engineering tasks being carried out by Unity Aviation Canada Ltd while the aircraft is in Canada," stated Fauo’o.

Samoa Airways has an ageing fleet. Most of the aircraft are over four decades old and still in operation. Retrofitting is the cheaper option for the airline as there is still reluctance by the government to invest in new aircraft or lease bigger ones.