Air New Zealand halts freight service to Samoa due to fuel shortage

By Talaia Mika

APIA, SAMOA – 23 SEPTEMBER 2022: Air New Zealand has halted inbound and outbound freight to Apia from 20 to 25 of this month due to the shortage of jet fuel stock in Samoa.

Air New Zealand informed Samoa Airways which is the ground handler at Faleolo International airport about the changes via email.

An employee of the Samoa Airways cargo division confirmed with Talamua the freight temporary cancellation.

The Interim Chief Executive Officer of Samoa Airways, Fauoo Fatu Tielu said the cancelled freight on Air New Zealand is only between Samoa and New Zealand.

“The instruction came from Air New Zealand to Samoa Airways as ground handling agent and I believe it relates to an instruction from the jet fuel Distributor PPS to all airlines operating into Samoa to minimize their fuel uplift from Samoa because of the low jet fuel stock available due to an unprecedented high demand in recent weeks following the opening of our international borders,” Fauo’o responded to Talamua on email.

According to Fauoo, the PPS advised that the next fuel tanker is expected to arrive on 26 September and normal fuel supply should be available from 04 October.

International airlines operating flight services to Samoa include Air New Zealand, Fiji Airways, and Qantas.