Cabinet Approves Opening of Registration of Shares in National Airline

By Jasmine Netzler/Savali Newspaper/

Apia, SAMOA – 22 January 2026 – Government has approved the Unit Trust of Samoa (UTOS) start operations to facilitate the registration of interested shareholders in Samoa’s National Airline’s international jet flights planned to be revived by end of this year.

Interested individuals are urged to visit UTOS this week to register their names, villages and how much they wish to invest in the venture.

Prime Minister Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt revealed in a press conference on Monday this week.

The venture is open to both locals and the Samoa diaspora, to what the Prime Minister claims will be an opportunity for them to have a stake in Samoa’s airline.

Confirming that they are looking at the purchase of two airplanes to improve Samoa’s air transportation services.

And that this will also be the contribution of Samoans to air transportation and the development of this particular sector for Samoa.

“This will not just be beneficial for the people here in Samoa but Samoan’s anywhere in the world for easy access to travelling to Samoa,” he said.

The Prime Minister made it clear there are plans to have the U.T.O.S. execute public awareness campaign to ensure that the people of Samoa fully understand how the initiative shall be carried forward.

Shares start from $500 tala with people being told they can purchase more if they wish. The shares will be held in a holding Account to be transferred to the Airline project when it begins operations.

The U.T.O.S. has also started operating an online registration system, a platform that allows for easier connection by interested individuals in purchasing shares.

According to the Prime Minister, since Samoa’s Independence, the potential of its national air carrier has yet to be fully realized at the highest level.

Acknowledging that Fiji already has well established its airlines and is unbeatable at this stage due to having robust business structures and systems in place.

Adding that the airline should be operated as a business to yield expected outcomes.

UTOS
“The Unit Trust of Samoa (UTOS) is an initiative of the Government of Samoa, whose primary goal is to provide an affordable and accessible investment vehicle for local and overseas-based Samoans. This is to allow participation, not only in Samoa’s future developments but also in allowing them to access large-scale investment opportunities in privately owned companies,” according to the U.T.O.S. website.