Faleolo Airport Phase II underway

By Vatapuia Maiava 17 January 2017, 12:00AM

With the excitement over the opening of the new $140 million Faleolo International Airport abating, it is plain for incoming and outgoing travelers to see, that there is still a lot of work to be done.

After the completion of the first phase last year on the 30th of November, which caters to departing passengers only, Prime Minister Tuilaepa praised the quality of the facility 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 push our tourism and trade transport.”

Tuilaepa also acknowledged that there had been many complaints about the development, with the public questioning the government’s foreign debt.

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

This involves the arrivals area which will be housed on the site of the former Faleolo terminal which is currently being demolished.

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

“The completion of the new airport is on the way,” he said.

“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.

“That should be finished by October or November this year and then we will have a very nice airport.

“We will have to work really hard to make sure more airplanes come to make use of it,” he concluded.

By Vatapuia Maiava 17 January 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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