Samoa PM puts pressure on Airlines PNG as regional option

The Samoan Prime Minister has invited the Papua New Guinea carrier Airlines PNG to land at Faleolo Airport, connecting Samoa to Los Angeles and Hong Kong.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi not only invited the Director of Airlines PNG, Sir Kostas Constantinou, to start the practice, but pressed him to promise to do so within the next 12 months.

Tuilaepa says that landing PNG planes in Samoa will boost local tourism and will in turn benefit PNG tourism.

Meanwhile, a review of the joint venture between Polynesian and Virgin Blue Group is still underway.

Tuilaepa says the review will be completed by September, when a decision will be made on whether the arrangement between the government and Virgin Airlines will continue.