Samoa Airways, FJ pact

A JOINT agreement between the Samoan Govt and Fiji Airways ( TD 23 Jun) was officially revealed yesterday, with the parties signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to pursue a new Pacific Partnership Alliance (PPA).

The tie-up comes after the Samoan Government pulled the pin on its 12-year pact with Virgin Australia and its offshoot Virgin Samoa which will be wound up on 12 Nov ( TD 18 May).

The arrangement will assist Samoa launch a new international airline, Samoa Airways, which will operate flights from Apia to/from Auckland and Sydney, and take advantage of Fiji Airways’ already established infrastructure in sales, commercial, operations and maintenance.

Separate commercial and operations agreements are being negotiated between Samoa Airways and FJ which will form part of the overall PPA.

The MOU lays the foundation for Samoa Airways to manage specific routes (such as flights to Sydney & Auckland), while others will be jointly managed through a codeshare and interline deal.

Samoa’s PM Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Mailelegaoi said Samoa Airways would leverage off Fiji Airways’ long-haul network and connectivity opportunities to other parts of the world.

Samoa Airways will face competition on the Australia- Samoa route, with VA lodging a request this month with the IASC to operate its own services to Apia beyond Nov ( TD 11 Jul).