Tourism

Samoa Welcomes the Return of Qantas Airline

Published

2 years ago

August 3, 2022

Lagi Keresoma

Qantas Airline lands at Faleolo Airport in its first flight since borders reopened this week.

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 03 AUGUST 2022: The Minister of Tourism, Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster and Australia’s High Commissioner to Samoa, Emily Luck led the local party to welcome the Qantas Airline’s first flight to land in Samoa since the borders reopened on Monday this week.

The Minister and the High Commissioner were with the Samoa Tourism Authority’s Cultural Group that put on Beautiful Samoa cultural performances at the airport to welcome families and tourists since the borders locked down in March 2020.

Last month, HE Luck announced the resumption of the Qantas flights between Samoa and Australia for the months of August and September under the Australia Pacific Flight Programme.

The Government approved Qantas Airline’s application last month to resume fights to Samoa.

Minister of Tourism, Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster and Australia’s High Commissioner to Samoa, Emily Luck led the welcome party for the Qantas Airline’s first flight.

Similar to the welcoming ceremony on Monday for the first Fiji Air flight to land on the day borders reopened, the Qantas passengers were also treated to a warm welcome at the airport.

Samoa’s tourism industry had been heavily affected by the COVID-19 border closures and whilst there is still concern over COVID-19, Samoa is happy that their borders are open and that families will be able to visit and attend family events in person.

Samoa’s decision to open borders was also alluded to by the New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern in her speech at the commemoration of the 60^th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship between New Zealand and Samoa on Monday night.

Samoa’s Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa opinion was also sought by the New Zealand media about Samoa opening up to the world again after so long and how it will help with the pandemic recovery strategy.

“We do not have a national airline, but we are working with airlines such as Air New Zealand and we have issued a license to Qantas Airlines, and there are other applications for licenses, but I think scheduling of flights will help how we plan the recovery and to ensure the sectors are not under too much pressure,” said Fiamē.