Samoa national carrier Samoa Airways has stopped operating its long-haul flights leaving a void as Samoa sets to reopen its international borders.

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Samoa Tourism Authority’s Acting CEO Kitiona Pogi said Samoa Airways no longer flies between Apia and Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland.

Prior to the pandemic which closed Samoa’s borders in March 2020, these routes were open.

Pogi said that the airline continues to provide flights between Samoa and American Samoa.

Muagututi’a Lafaele Ngau Chun, the departing chairman of Samoa Airways’ board, is dissatisfied with the manner in which he and two other board members were dismissed of their positions last week.

According to the Samoa Observer, Muagututi’a said that they had not yet been informed of the grounds for Cabinet’s decision to release them.

He said that he would have more to say on the airline and its operations after they have been informed of the reasons why they will no longer serve the airline for which he has served as Board Chairman since September 2019.

“Of course I am dissatisfied without the courtesy of a meeting or explanation other than your paper,” Muagututia remarked. “The only stakeholder of SAW [Samoa Airways] is the government.”

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The Minister of Public Enterprises, Leatinuu Wayne So’oialo, confirmed the Cabinet’s decision last week, stating that Samoa Airways’ services were terminated as part of an examination by a Special Committee created by the Cabinet to examine the airline’s activities.

Additionally, Tuia Paepae Letoa and Papali’i Sonya Hunter were dismissed as directors.

The Cabinet has made no new board member announcements.