Development work on the Faleolo International Airport is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2018. 

The Project co-ordinator of the Shanghai Construction, Amanda Yuan confirmed the project was making good progress, nearing completion. 

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi praised the quality of the facility after the completion of the first phase of the project that catered for departing passengers on November 30th, 2017, saying it was a state-of-the-art development.

“This new departure area is equipped with modern technology for passengers,” he said.

“Samoa Airport Authority’s vision is to be the Pacific hub of air travel. It is government’s hope that more new air carriers will make use of the new Faleolo facilities to boost our tourism and trade transport.”

Tuilaepa said there had been many complaints about the development with the public questioning the government’s foreign debt.

Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Papali’i Niko Lee Hang says that the second phase is already in progress.

This includes the arrival area which will be housed on the site of the former Faleolo terminal which is being demolished.

Meanwhile, those arriving in Samoa are shepherded through a makeshift area which was formerly used for storing cargo.

“Maybe you’ve seen that the old airport terminal is being demolished, so they’re starting on the second phase now which is the space for the arrivals,” he said.

“That should be finished by October or November this year.

“We will have to work really hard to make sure more airplanes come to make use of the airport,” he added.