Weather grounds Pago flights

By Soli Wilson 21 February 2020, 2:25PM

Samoa Airways flights to Pago Pago were cancelled until further notice on Friday, as authorities kept an eye on Cyclone Vicky and the potential for rough weather to affect the destination.

A Samoa Airways officer told the Samoa Observer on Friday afternoon that the flights would be cancelled until "further notice". 

American Samoa are experiencing rough weather conditions due to a low pressure system that had moderate chances of developing into a cyclone by Friday afternoon.

Three Samoa Airways flights to Pago Pago were scheduled to fly out of Faleolo Airport on Friday; but a short time after midday all remained on hold.

The day's earliest flight, scheduled to leave at 8.30am, was also not waved through. 

The latest weather advisory suggested the cyclone, and accompanying heavy downpour and winds in its advance, had shifted southeast of Samoa and were instead headed south to American Samoa.  

Earlier in the week, severe weather predicted for Samoa brought delays to Samoa Airways flights.

The national carrier announced a 10-hour delay to its flights scheduled on Monday and Tuesday.  

“Please be advised that due to the current weather pattern currently experienced in Apia (Samoa) and for the safety of our passengers and crew, our services to Auckland on Monday 17th February 2020 will now be delayed by 10 hours,” a statement from the airline at the time read. 

Despite an expectation earlier in the day for the Category 1 storm to make landfall in Samoa on Friday, other incoming traffic at Faleolo Airport was still expected to arrive later on Friday evening.

Fiji Airways and Air New Zealand flights were scheduled to make landings between 5.30pm and 8.30pm. 


By Soli Wilson 21 February 2020, 2:25PM

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