Airlines and Aviation in Samoa

Samoa Airways

Samoa’s new international airline, Samoa Airways commenced international jet-flights between Samoa and New Zealand and Australia in November 2017. Flights are operated using a 2-class Boeing 737-800 with 8 seats in Business and 162 seats in Economy. Formerly known as Polynesian Airlines, the airline was founded in 1959 by Captain Sir Reginald Barnewall, an Australian airline captain who had previously managed an airline called Southern Airlines in Melbourne and Samoan businessman Eugene Paul. With its rich and colorful past, the airline is one of the best known in the South Pacific region. The Airline previously operated jet flights linking Samoa with Auckland, Wellington, Sydney, Melbourne, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Nadi, Rarotonga, Papeete, Tongatapu, Niue and Pago Pago. In addition to air services, the company’s business also includes ground handling services for Air New Zealand and Fiji Airways and non-commercial operators flying into Faleolo International Airport (Samoa’s gateway), as well as General Sales Agency services. In mid-2017, the Government of Samoa decided that Polynesian Airlines would re-launch international jet services. The Airline has since signed an MOU with Fiji Airways to help Samoa Airways re-launch its jet operations using its own aircraft and the two national carriers would work closely together as part of the ‘Pacific Partnership Alliance’. Samoa’s national carrier is managed and staffed by a local team with extensive airline business and operational experience and wholly-owned by the Government of Samoa. As the airline embarks on a new chapter, it will continue its tradition of offering travellers its brand of warm Samoan hospitality on its flights.

51 to 200 staff