The Samoa government celebrated the opening of its new $25 million (US$9.12 million) regional terminal at Faleolo International Airport, a project aimed at enhancing Samoa’s global connectivity and driving economic growth. The terminal is set to serve flights from Pacific destinations including American Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Tuvalu, Niue, and the Cook Islands, alongside domestic inter-island routes.
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa, who led the opening ceremony, said the new terminal represents a major step forward for Samoa’s infrastructure, positioning the country as a regional centre for travel, trade, and tourism. Government officials, stakeholders, and international partners gathered for the event, which marked the culmination of collaborative efforts between government agencies, the private sector, and international contributors. Mataafa noted that the terminal’s development aligns with Samoa’s ambition to expand its role in the region and to support socio-economic progress through improved connectivity.
The newly constructed terminal, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, is designed to manage a variety of flights across the Pacific region. The expanded apron area also offers increased capacity for both commercial and private aircraft, and helped Samoa efficiently handle the influx of visitors at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) last month, the first in a Pacific Island country. This strategic expansion is anticipated to boost revenue for the Samoa Airport Authority (SAA) through parking fees for private aircraft, especially those bringing CHOGM delegates.
The project’s completion has already set the stage for long-term economic benefits, including job creation and enhanced service efficiency for both tourists and regular travellers. The expanded facilities reflect Samoa’s broader goals for sustainable development and regional integration, supporting industries from tourism to logistics.
Prime Minister Mataafa acknowledged the contributions of the construction and design firms involved. She highlighted the project as a commitment to building not just infrastructure but also connections between people and nations, embodying aspirations for a sustainable and prosperous future. “It embodies our aspirations for growth, sustainability, and a future filled with endless possibilities,” Mataafa remarked.
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Main photo: Faleolo Airport (Courtesy: Samoa Airports Authority website).
