Samoa Airways (OL, Apia Faleolo) has submitted a request to the Samoa Airport Authority (SAA) asking it to waive the landing fees at Apia Faleolo airport, the Samoa Observer has reported. While the government, which has the final say on the matter, is unlikely to agree to a full waiver, the carrier may receive reduced rates.
"The Samoa Airport Authority’s biggest revenue is the landing fees and if this request is considered, it is a smart move to reduce rather than waive," the Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure Papali’i Niko Lee Hang has said.
The SAA CEO Magele Hoe Viali has confirmed the operator has received such a request and has underlined that the possible reduction if approved, would be formalised as an incentive discount for new market entrants. As such, other carriers serving the airport, including Fiji Airways, Air New Zealand, and Virgin Australia International, would not be eligible for reductions. However, any future new operators would be able to benefit from the discount.
As of now, Samoa Airways, which was founded in 2017, pays full landing fees and has no outstanding debts with the SAA.
According to the ch-aviation capacity module, Samoa Airways currently connects Apia with each of Auckland International (5x weekly) and Sydney Kingsford Smith (2x weekly).
