Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt arrived in Samoa on Wednesday, landing on flight NZ992 from Auckland, New Zealand, at Faleolo International Airport at around 1:30 pm.

The aircraft departed Auckland International Airport at 8:48 am from Gate 4. The Prime Minister, accompanied by his wife and children and his security detail, returned on the same flight.

At the Faleolo VIP terminal, the Prime Minister’s vehicle was stationed in the drive-through area awaiting the Prime Minister's exit from the building. Several cabinet ministers’ vehicles were also seen at the VIP terminal's car park.

According to sources within the Samoa Airport Authority (SAA), the Prime Minister did not require wheelchair assistance upon arrival and walked on his own.

The Samoa Observer noted tight security at the scene, with approximately four security personnel stationed at the front and SAA staff around the VIP terminal.

The Prime Minister was medically evacuated two weeks ago for what he initially described as “overdue medical checks." He flew out of the country on 15 April and had stated he would return in a week.

However, in a press conference two days after the evacuation, Acting Prime Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molioo revealed concerns about the Prime Minister’s heart and lungs.

Subsequent reporting by the Samoa Observer revealed that he had been admitted to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) at Middlemore Hospital in Otahuhu, New Zealand.

Last Friday, Mulipola announced that the Prime Minister would be returning this week.

On Thursday, Laaulialemalietoa is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the official handover of vehicles to the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority from Japan at the Apia Fire Station.