Aircalin, Air Calédonie seek $60mn state aid

Samoa Airways mulls fleet replacement program - report

The Samoan government is willing to support a fleet replacement program at Samoa Airways (OL, Apia Faleolo), according to a report in the Samoa Observer. The Minister of Public Enterprises, Leatinuu Wayne So’oialo, who oversees the carrier, has asked for a plan on how the fleet replacement program might work.

The small state-owned airline has three 19-passenger DHC-6-300s in its fleet, although the oldest, the 49.7-year-old 5W-STF (msn 402), has not operated since 2021 when it was grounded over corrosion issues. The remaining aircraft, 38-year-old 5W-FAW (msn 827) and 43-year-old 5W-FAY (msn 690), are both in service, according to the report and verified by flight tracking ADS-B data. Both aircraft operate the airline's timetabled flights between Apia and Pago Pago in neighbouring American Samoa.

Samoa Airways Chief Executive Officer Fauo’o Fatu Tielu says the options include stripping and rebuilding the existing aircraft; acquiring updated versions of the same type, namely DHC-6-300-Gs or DHC-6-400; or opting for another aircraft altogether.

He added that the grounded DHC-6-300, only purchased seven years ago, required...

Aircalin can easily service debts - outgoing MD

Air Vanuatu's only jet grounded, no spare parts on hand

Air Vanuatu (NF, Port Vila) has grounded its sole jet aircraft after a mechanical issue took the plane out of service on March 31, leaving passengers stranded in several countries. The airline has not specified the type of mechanical issue, but has canceled flights through to April 7 and says it is attempting to source the required parts as quickly as possible.

The grounded B737-800 is registered as YJ-AV8 (msn 42052). The 7.2-year-old leased aircraft was scheduled to operate a passenger flight from Brisbane International to Port Vila on March 31 when the issue was detected, causing that flight to be cancelled. The twinjet remains in Brisbane. Air Vanuatu also uses it for flights to Auckland International, Melbourne Tullamarine, and Sydney Kingsford Smith. Air Vanuatu has rescheduled impacted passengers onto flights for later this week.

"Air Vanuatu operates a Boeing 737 for the Australian and New Zealand flights and this aircraft is currently in Australia awaiting parts that are being sourced with urgent support from Boeing offices in both...

New Caledonia’s Aircalin settles fleet, focuses on Changi