Second Samoa Airways Twin Otter overhaul completed

By Andrew Curran.

Unity Aviation Canada has completed the refurbishment of a second DHC-6-300 belonging to Samoa Airways. The aircraft, 5W-FAY (msn 690), arrived back in Apia (APW) on July 7, 2026, after a seven-day ferry flight from Unity Aviation's MRO facility in Calgary (YYC).

The 46-year-old aircraft was acquired by Samoa Airways in 1998. It was sent to Canada last September for a structural overhaul and refurbishment that involved, among other things, an engine overhaul, repainting, and a cabin refurbishment.

This followed the successful overhaul of another Samoa Airways Twin Otter, 5W-FAW (msn 827), by Unity Aviation.

The work on both aircraft, which cost approximately WST22 million (USD8.05 million), is expected to extend their operational lives by around 30 years. The refurbishment was funded from Samoa Airways' own revenue without the need for loans.

“It represented a significant investment but was undertaken with the clear objective of improving the safety, reliability and quality of Samoa Airways' services,” said Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Responsible for Samoa Airways, during a hangar ceremony late last week.

Samoa Airways' most recent financial results showed a provisional after-tax profit of WST11 million (USD4.02 million) for the 12 months to June 30, 2025, following debt write-offs and other forms of government assistance.

A bigger, more expensive project than originally planned

FlightRadar24 data shows that 5W-FAY departed Calgary on July 1 and flew to Boise (BOI), Santa Maria (SMX), Hilo (ITO), Kiritimati (CXI) and finally Apia Faleolo one week later.

The overhaul proved to be a larger undertaking than originally anticipated. After the aircraft arrived in Canada and underwent a detailed inspection, additional replacement parts were found to be required, extending both the timeline and cost of the project.

“Although this resulted in additional time and expense, the decision was made to proceed so that the aircraft's airframe and systems would be fully restored,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

Kale Goodwin, Accountable Executive at Unity Aviation, said it had taken three and a half years from the initial contact to finalising the contract. He travelled to Apia for the handover ceremony.

“Being entrusted with the aircraft is something we valued deeply and we're grateful for having had the opportunity,” he said, while also acknowledging the Samoan Government's continued investment in aviation.

“Aviation is essential to island nations,” Goodwin said. “It creates opportunities that would otherwise be impossible. The continued success of Samoa Airways plays an important role in the prosperity of this country.”

Samoa Airways operates three DHC-6-300s. The youngest, 5W-FAW, is just over 40 years old, while the oldest, 5W-STF (msn 402), is 52.5 years old. There are no plans to send 5W-STF to Canada for refurbishment.

The airline operates scheduled passenger services between Apia's two airports and Pago Pago (PPG) in neighbouring American Samoa, as well as two inter-island routes within American Samoa.

Changes on the horizon for Samoa Airways

5W-FAY's return to Apia comes at an interesting time for Samoa Airways. The airline's inter-island services in American Samoa operate under a cabotage exemption granted by the US Department of Transportation because no US carrier is willing or able to operate the routes.

However, Hawaii-based Pacific Air Charters intends to launch scheduled passenger services in American Samoa before the end of the year. If that occurs, the Department is unlikely to extend Samoa Airways' cabotage exemption, potentially leaving the airline with only its Apia – Pago Pago routes.

Samoa Airways does not operate any domestic services within Samoa.

However, as previously reported by Aero South Pacific, Samoa Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt is keen to establish a home-grown international airline serving regional destinations such as Fiji, Tonga, Tahiti and the Cook Islands. But it remains unclear whether those plans will proceed and, if they do, what role Samoa Airways might play.

At the time of publication, 5W-FAY had not yet returned to revenue service.

Photo: Government of Samoa.

Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com