Growing Samoa Airways family

By Samoa Airways 13 January 2019, 12:00AM

The unfortunate recent turbulences undermining national carrier Samoa Airways is not deterring true Samoan patriots from raising their hands up to be part of the solution.

Samoa professions in the airline industry have come out in force to work for their National Flag Carrier. Among them includes Samoan pilots Patrick Moore and Andrew Roebeck to name a few who have left their comfort zones and sacrificed lucrative salaries overseas to be part of the growing Samoa Airways family.

While Cabin Services, you will find the return of some familiar and friendly Samoans who have decades of first-hand and priceless experience to share with their Samoan Cabin crews.

Ropati Eves is back in the fold joined by Mary Pavitt Chang and of course who could forget Leataataoletaeao Blakelock; all renowned prominent Samoan Cabinet crew pioneers who have served their industry with distinctions. 

“It’s all about Samoan pride for us,” says Blakelock.  “To serve our people and our national flag carrier in this challenging industry is an indescribable privilege.

“We are proud Samoans and this is how we show our pride to the world.”

  And their presence provides a massive dose of confidence for rookies such as Lumaava Tuna Papalii. She was Miss Tahiano Mauga Lui, contestant number three in the McDonald’s Miss Samoa Pageant 2017. 

“Growing up as a young Tamaitai Samoa I have always wanted to work for our community and give back to our people,” she said.

 “This job is one of the best platforms to showcase our Samoa and what we as a people have to offer to the world.”

Her best experiences which she will treasure for the rest of her life is the positive feedback and compliments from Samoans after every flight.

“Faamanuia le Atua ile galuega,” from a passenger goes a long way for Lumaava

“Those simple words gives me more strength and passion for my job. Like they always say, smile is the key that fits the lock of everybody’s heart.”

And for Samoa Airways to continue to blossom, Chief Executive Officer, Seiuli Alvin Tuala is calling on Samoans for their support.

“Quite simply the Samoa Airways is relying on the support of our people not merely to survive, but to thrive among other international carriers,” he said. 

“Our people need to come and support the airline because without their support, the airline is not going anywhere. With their support, we can achieve a lot of different things. We can ensure that airfares remain affordable because they weren’t affordable before Samoa Airways came back on board.

 “We’ve been operating since November 2017 and flight numbers are starting to increase, but we would like to see more of our people travelling with us.

“We’ve got a good product, we have a full on board service and of course the airline will look at other ways to improve.”

And improvements have been visible, with new direct flights established for Sydney and Brisbane Australia. There is more in the pipeline.

 “Samoa Airways is here to stay,” reaffirms Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi.

Calling the return of Samoa Airways to the international circuit long overdue, Prime Minister Tuilaepa elaborates; “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.”

He said that the decision to set up Samoa Airways was “based on sound and well researched studies. No one else will look after our country’s 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 neighbours have their own national airlines and they have maintained their airlines successfully and profitably.

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

By Samoa Airways 13 January 2019, 12:00AM

Trending Stories

Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>