Samoa’s Fagalii Airport will shut down on the final day of the year. This is confirmed by the Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure Papali’i Niko Lee Hang.
The Ministry of Police will take over on January 1, 2020.
The minister told the Samoa Observer all inter Samoa flights will operate out of Faleolo International Airport, citing safety as the main reason.
Papalii reiterated that Fagali’i Airport has failed to meet international standards and, for safety reasons, it must be closed down.
He said Faleolo Airport has been certified and meets international aviation requirements.
Papali’i said another issue is that Fagalii is the gateway for drugs to be smuggled into the country.
He said drug sniffing canines are not posted at Fagalii Airport all the time. The drug dogs are there when they can be, unlike Faleolo where the canines are posted regularly.
Fagalii Airport cuts traveling time to and from American Samoa by 15 minutes.
It’s also closer to the town of Apia, whereas Faleolo Airport is a 30-40 minute drive to town.
The minister downplayed complaints about the distance.
He said he’d rather drive all the way to Faleolo and have a safe trip to American Samoa, than from Fagali’i which is unsafe and the landing strip is deteriorating.
The Fagali’i Airport will be turned into a vehicle test driving range and registration inspection site as part of the Samoa government’s broader efforts to address the rising road toll.
