No new Samoan airline this year says finance minister

By Andrew Curran.

Western Samoa’s finance minister has poured cold water on prime ministerial plans to launch a home-grown international airline this year.

Mulipola Anarosa Molio’o told local media in late January that the cost of starting up the carrier would be at least WST30 million (USD11 million), and that’s before the government sources any aircraft. She said there would be no new airline this year.

The minister’s comments follow Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt telling journalists in December that he wanted to see the airline established by the end of 2026 and that initial funding would be detailed in the mid-year budget.

The prime minister’s enthusiasm was despite previous long-haul operations by state-owned carriers proving financial disasters.

“We are ready to do it again,” he said.

Mulipola Anarosa Molio’o tempers expectations

His finance minister is more circumspect. She told the Samoa Observer that the government had made no final decision on whether to buy or lease (initially two) aircraft, and in any case, it would take up to two years to lay the groundwork for the arrival of any aircraft.

However, Mulipola confirmed that a cabinet-approved aircraft task force, which includes local regional operator, Samoa Airways, had been established. However, her wording suggested the taskforce was yet to formally meet.

Local residents invited to invest in new airline

In December, PM Laaulialemalietoa said Samoans would be “invited to invest” in the new airline, with shareholding opportunities managed by the Unit Trust of Samoa starting from WST500 (USD181) through approved subscription pathways.

Two months later, Mulipola said some people had ponied up the minimum amount, with 94% being locals and the remainder off-shore investors.

Samoa Airways was the last local airline to operate flights beyond neighbouring American Samoa. However, it ended those when Covid-19 started, having racked up a series of punishing financial losses.

Shortly after, the then current prime minister said the Samoan Government had no interest in its carrier restarting international flights. However, the current PM only assumed office in August 2025, around the time that Samoa Airways managed to declare a small annual after tax profit, and he is altogether more bullish on aviation than his predecessor.

Photo: AI-Generated.

Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com