Negotiations underway to reopen Fagali’i Airport

By Talaia Mika

APIA, SAMOA – 30 JUNE 2022: The Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure, Olo Fiti Vaai said negotiations are underway to reopen the Fagali’i airport to business people, tourists and travellers to and from American Samoa given its vicinity to the Apia business centre.

The Member of Parliament for Vaimauga 1, Sulamanaia Fetaiai Tauiliili requested the Minister to reopen the airport considering the benefits to the country.

In response in parliament yesterday, Olo said that negotiations are underway to reopen the airport.

Challenges
According to the Minister, the airport was initially operated by the Samoa Airport Authority before it was passed on to the Polynesian Airlines.

It later went back under the Samoa Airport Authority which Olo said was due to the lack of any long term plan for the airport by management.

The airport is now under the Ministry of Police, Prisons and Corrections Services and used by its Traffic Division.

Benefits
Olo recalled that some of the profits from the airport while it was in operation for business people, employment and attraction to tourists mainly from American Samoa who travel in for golf sport.

“Most of the golfers back then were from American Samoa who fly in for golf and fly back because it was convenient,” he said.

“It also used to have food stalls and taxi operators employed in that terminal which was a huge benefit for the country.”

Safety of the airport
Human Rights Protection Party’s deputy leader, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo queried the safety of the airport if it reopens.

According to Olo, the risky side of the airport is due to the short landing strip.

He added that the airport can be extended to government lands on the East and South sides of the airport which is enough to expand the landing strip.

Ti’avea Airport
Olo also responded to the Aleipata Itupa I Lalo MP, Faagasealii Sapoa Feagia’i who requested for the continuation of the Tiavea airport’s construction.

The Minister disagreed with the suggestion to resume the construction of the airport due to its inconvenient location for 90% of the country.

“Only one percent of your constituency will benefit from this airport while 90% of the country will find it difficult to travel to Tiavea especially people from Savaii who will need to catch the bus to Apia then another bus to Tiavea. So it all goes back to safety as mentioned by the Deputy Leader of HRPP,” Olo explained.

He added that Faagasealii’s request shall be put on hold for another time when appropriate.

The incomplete Tiavea airport now on hold.