Samoa's Fagalii Airport has reopened, almost 3 months after resealing work began on the runway and renovation work to the terminal.
The re-opening means that Polynesian Airlines and Samoa Air will resume flights in and out of Fagalii Airport between the two Samoas.
During the airports closure, flights to Apia were diverted to Faleolo International Airport, which is located an extra 40 minutes away from Apia.
Fagalii Airport also saves 15 minutes in flight time between American Samoan and Samoa.
Samoa Air chief executive officer, Andre Lavigne, says that the Pago Pago-based carrier was satisfied with the conditions of the runway, following test flights last week.
Pago Pago manager for Polynesian Airlines, Hans Langkilde, says the re-opening of Fagalii comes at a time when extra flights are needed due to public demand.
Although renovations were finished in May, both airlines had refused to land at the airstrip because of loose gravel from the resealing.