Team behind Samoa Airways

17 November 2017, 12:00AM

Ever doubted the government’s vision behind Samoa Airways?

If yes, you are probably not the only one. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi knows this.

But the government through its Press Secretary has countered this by releasing a statement revealing the key people involved in getting the airline off the ground. 

This is what it says:

Critics say government’s investment in resurrecting the national carrier; is a gamble that will be a financial disaster for government and the people of Samoa.

But not according to the government agencies at the frontline facilitating Samoa Airways to realise her full potential as an asset to the people of Samoa.

The government entities providing support for Samoa Airways was cemented this week with the presence of their Chief Executives at the launching of the airlines return to international services to Auckland New Zealand and later this week at the launching of the Faleolo-Sydney Australia direct flights.

They include;

• Agafili Shem Leo- Ministry of Prime Minister  & Cabinet.

• Lemalu Herman Retzlaff- Attorney General

• Papali’i Sonja Hunter - Samoa Tourism Authority

 “Samoa is an isolated island nation surrounded by water. Air transport is a vital link for Samoa and we need to have reliable and safe air travel for our people,” Prime Minister Tuilaepa said at the launch. 

“Many have asked why are we doing this, why do we need to have an airline and why not leave it to others. 

“Samoa can no longer rely on others to determine our destiny in terms of air travel, we can no longer sit back and let others dictate to us what’s best for our people and this country. 

“Having our own airline ensures that we will be able to determine our destiny. Having our own airline will create jobs and will contribute to the economic growth of our country through increase exports and also contribute to increasing tourist to our country. 

“Something that was not done under past arrangements.”

The Prime Minister revealed that many have asked the question why Samoa is going down this road, and why now? 

“I often ask the question back, “If not now, when and if not us, who?” replied Tuilaepa “No one else will look after our countries needs but us. If we do not do it now, it will never be done.

“If you look around our region, from Vanuatu to the Solomon’s, Nauru to Kiribati and Tahiti to Fiji. Our neighbors have their own national airlines and they have maintained their airlines successfully and profitably. 

“If others can do it why can’t we. Why can’t we. The answer is we can.”

17 November 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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