Samoa Airways (OL, Apia Faleolo) has commenced discussions with neighbouring carrier Fiji Airways (FJ, Nadi) on potential partnership and codeshare arrangements, according to report in the Samoa Observer newspaper.
These talks are as a result of the Samoan Cabinet endorsing the closure of the Apia Faleolo-Nadi route, which is currently flown 4x weekly by Fiji Airways, as it aims to promote the use of Samoa Airways for passengers travelling between Samoa and Fiji. The intention is for all passengers bound for Fiji to use the Samoa Airways service to Auckland and then use the Fiji Airways service from New Zealand to Nadi.
The move to close the Apia-Nadi route is also designed to bring both airlines to the negotiating table and revive discussions about a codesharing agreement reached years ago but never implemented. In 2017, Fiji Airways and Samoa Airways signed a Memorandum of Understanding to share commercial strategies and market information.
Commenting on the decision Ministry of Finance Chief Executive Officer Leasiosiofa’asisina Oscar Malielegaoi said the Samoan government would do anything possible to support its national carrier. “If we don’t force ourselves to make that change, then it’s just talking, and we’re not fully supporting our airline. The move to suspend [flights] or forcing all government officials to use the Auckland Samoa Airways sector is in support of the national airline.”
A Fiji Airways spokesperson confirmed to ch-aviation that “discussions have taken place between Samoa Airways and Fiji Airways executives on partnership and codeshare arrangements. However, the matter of flights between Fiji and Samoa concerns the existing air services agreement between the two countries. As such, Fiji Airways has referred the matter to the Fijian government for their attention.”
