Authorities have ordered Samoa Airways (OL, Apia Faleolo) to shift from the international terminal at Faleolo Airport to a new USD9.12 million regional terminal. According to the Samoa Observer, the airline was not given any choice in the matter. The move took effect on December 7, 2024.
The regional terminal, located several hundred metres from the main international terminal, will cater to flights from Pacific destinations including American Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Tuvalu, Niue, and the Cook Islands, alongside domestic inter-island routes. The airport's last upgrade was in 2015.
On its website, Samoa Airways says the change will impact its services to and from Pago Pago.
According to ch-aviation PRO airports data, Faleolo is also served by Qantas, Air New Zealand, Air Pacific, Virgin Australia, and local operator Talofa Airways (Apia Faleolo). Measured by weekly seat capacity, Air New Zealand is the biggest operator at the airport, followed by Fiji Airways. Flights to Australia and New Zealand will continue to operate from the older terminal.
