Former Chairman of Samoa Airways broke his silence

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The ousted Chairman of Samoa Airways, Muaguta’utia Lafaele Ngau Chun has broken his silence and strongly defended the leasing of the Boeing 737-800 aircraft that was abandoned in Australia. 

His comments were made during a live show on Star FM with host and owner Maposua Corey Keil this morning. 

The former Chairman said after the global grounding of the Boeing 737 Max, the board at that time opted for a wet lease with Air Malindo, and at the expiration of that lease, their board leased the Boeing 737-800 aircraft that was stuck in Australia, due to delay in certifying the aircraft. 

The FAST Government canceled the lease citing airworthiness and concerns that the airline was operating as an insolvent company, with $80 million in debt. 

Muagututi’a said their proposal was approved by the former Minister to lease the Boeing 737-800. 

“However there was a long delay in releasing of funding from the Ministry of Finance and the Unit Trust of Samoa, to secure the civil aviation certificates in New Zealand and Australia. 

“The lease of the lease [Boeing 737-800] for the first six months was $30,000 USD monthly; the second six months $40,000 USD a month and afterwards the lease would be $245,000 USD per month. 

“And that lease in itself is the cheapest you can find anywhere,” said the former Chairman. 

He said the board also consulted with Air Vanuatu and their 16-year-old aircraft for $780,000 USD per month, which was expensive. 

Adding the Boeing 737-800 they leased which got canceled has been in operation for four years and is relatively a new aircraft. 

Citing the issue was the funding to pay the relevant authorities in Australia to conduct the certification of the aircraft before civil aviation will issue the certificate to fly. 

Mata’utia further explained that each continent had its own certification process and despite being certified in Europe, which allowed the aircraft to fly out from Europe, it had to be re-certified in Australia. 

He said had the Government released the funding earlier the aircraft would have been flying already before the new Government took over. 

“We already had confirmed [charter] contracts to conduct services during the start of the Covid-19 restrictions for international bodies such as the UNDP.” 

Last month Cabinet replaced the Samoa Airways board and appointed an interim board for Samoa Airways. Its interim Chairman is Tupuola Koki Tuala, with members, businessman Taimalie Charlie Ah Liki and Fatu Tielu, the former CEO of the Airline. 

This was confirmed by Minister of Public Enterprises, Leatinuu Wayne So’oialo in response to questions from Radio Polynesia. 

The Minister did not comment on other queries pertaining to the removal of the previous board members, Papalii Sonya Hunt, Tuia Paepae Letoa, and Muagututia Lafaele Ngau Chun.