Passengers can look forward to a truly international departure and arrival experience at Faleolo International Airport when two new aerobridges are officially commissioned some time in April.

The next experience will be a world away from the current experience where passengers have to cross the tarmac in the sun and the rain during departure and arrival.

In January, the first aerobridge was installed at the international airport which was assisted by the Silva Transport crane.   

Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Papali’i Niko Lee Hang, said the second aerobridge is almost ready and the jet way will be used in April.

Papali’i also confirmed the cost of one aerobridge is US$1.2 million (T$3.3 million). Both aerobridges were funded by a concessional loan from China for the entire Faleolo Airport project.  

“I have asked the Airport Authority to set a date to commission the aerobridges,” Papali'i told the Samoa Observer.

“The plan is when the plane lands the tuck will pull the aerobridges and allow for our people to get in the plane. 

“It would be quite an experience for our people to have this at our airport. Our people also want to use nice and advanced walkways like this.”

To ensure the aerobridges are correctly used, locals are being trained to operate it. 

Papali’i added the commissioning of the new aerobridges is most likely to be around the time the arrival of new aircraft for the Samoa Airways.

The cost of the Faleolo international airport project is around $140 million. 

It is designed to cater for 600,000 passengers annually, with maximum passenger flow volume of 300 passengers per hour.