Samoa Airways (OL, Apia Faleolo) will resume domestic flights to Maota Savai'i Island from its main base of operations at Apia Faleolo on the neighbouring Upolo Island, the Samoan government has said in a statement. The services are planned to commence from the end of March, operated by the carrier's DHC-6-300 fleet, although the weekly frequency has not been clarified by the airline.
“Resuming flight routes into Savaii will be a good travel alternative for locals while also providing the option of a connecting flight service for international visitors who want to experience what the big island has to offer” airline CEO Tupuivao Seiuli AlvinTuala said. “Together with our partners, Samoa Tourism, Samoa Hotel Association and the Samoa Savaii Tourism - Samoa Airways is looking forward to supporting tourism and travel to the beautiful island of Savaii.”
The 16-nautical mile (30-kilometre) inter-island hop was served until the late 1990s by Samoa Airways’ predecessor Polynesian Airlines (Apia Fagali'i), which served not just Maota on the south of the island, but also Asau on the north coast from the now-closed Apia Fagali'i. In the past, there were also direct flights from Savai’i Island to Pago Pago.
The airline has a limited fleet, with a single wet-leased B737-800 9M-LNW (msn 39875) from Malindo Air (Kuala Lumpur International) and three DHC-6-300s inherited from Polynesian Airlines (Apia Fagali'i). Last month Samoa Airways said that it was evaluating adding a 50-seat aircraft to replace its ageing DHC-6-300 fleet.
