Virgin Australia plans to continue Samoa flights after JV ends
Virgin Australia is mulling the launch of its own flight service to Samoa after a joint venture it operates with the Samoan government comes to an end in November.
Virgin intends to maintain services to Samoa beyond the end of the JV contract and has applied to Australia’s International Air Services Commission to keep services running on the route.
It will operate 176-seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft on the route five times a week, according to its letter to the IASC which was filed a week ago.
The Samoan government chose to end the JV, which Virgin and the Samoan government each own 49%.
The remaining 2% is held by local tourism company Grey Investment Group.
The move by Virgin to continue flying was expected.
Virgin’s then group executive for Virgin Australia recently said at the IATA meeting in Cancun: "At a group perspective we would like to continue to have a presence there so we are working through what could be possible. Obviously there is the classic VFR market but we do believe there is potential to grow those markets with tourism."
The Samoan government this month signalled its intent to establish a new carrier called Samoa Airways, and has signed a MOU with Fiji Airways.
Existing domestic operator Polynesian Airlines will also be a part of any new venture.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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