Samoa Airways (OL, Apia Faleolo) will send a second DHC-6-300 for extensive refurbishment to Canada later this year. This follows the airline's swing to profitability after eight years of consecutive losses.
The carrier told local media that the maintenance of the Twin Otter would take it off the fleet until February 2026. Samoa Airways plans to spend WST10 million tala (USD3.7 million) on the refit.
The airline completed the refurbishment of the youngest of its three Twin Otters, 5W-FAW (msn 827), to much fanfare in March 2025. The 40-year-old aircraft is currently in service on the airline's most profitable routes connecting the two airports in the Samoan capital, Apia Fagali'i and Apia Faleolo, with Pago Pago in nearby American Samoa.
The other two Twin Otters in Samoa Airways' fleet are 45.3-year-old 5W-FAY (msn 690) and 51.6-year-old 5W-STF (msn 402). The former has been parked at Apia Faleolo since August 13, 2025.
The fleet refit follows Samoa Airways' historically good financial year. After eight years of losses, the airline posted a net profit of WST11 million (USD4.1 million) for the year ended June 30, 2025. Its debt decreased from WST80 million (USD29.9 million) to WST10 million (USD3.7 million), largely thanks to two government handouts: a write-off of a WST55 million (USD20.5 million) loan from the Unit Trust of Samoa and WST11 million (USD4.1 million) in direct aid to repay old debts.
Besides the route connecting Samoa and American Samoa, the airline also operates within American Samoa, connecting Pago Pago with Fitiuta and Ofu in the Manu'a Islands. Samoa Airways is currently authorised to operate this eighth-freedom cabotage route through January 2026, or until a US-domiciled carrier decides to enter the market.
