The Ministry of Works Transport and Infrastructure says once Qantas Airways Limited has “fulfilled all the Aviation requirements under the law, they will be given a license to operate flights between Samoa and Australia.
This was confirmed by Minister Olo Fiti Vaai during an interview with Radio Polynesia. Earlier this month Qantas Airways Limited, out of Australia is seeking a license to operate flights, between Samoa and Australia and this was outlined in a public notice.
Olo confirmed the Qantas Airways application and noted there are requirements cited in the Civil Aviation Act 1998 that should be met before any license is issued.
This is part of the requirements for any Airline that seeks to fly to and from Samoa in accordance with section 84 of the Civil Aviation Act 1998 notice must be published informing of the application for an air service license.
Qantas Airways Limited is the flag carrier of Australia and its largest airline by fleet size, international flights and international destinations. It is the world’s third-oldest airline still in operation, having been founded in November 1920.
Qantas Airways with its headquarters in Australia gives notice that it has applied to the Ministry of Works, Transport, and Infrastructure.
This is pursuant to section 83 of the Civil Aviation Act for its Air Serice license to operate scheduled international air service.
“Qantas proposes to launch direct services from Brisbane and Sydney to Apia with additional frequencies and city pairs to be added.
“Written objection concerning the application may be made to the Ministry of Works Transport and Infrastructure within 15 days from the date of publication of this notice.”
Last year the FAST Cabinet canceled the Samoa Airway’s lease of the Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft, that was stuck in Australia.
The MWTI website says the primary legislation governing civil aviation in Samoa is the Civil Aviation Act 1998 with the Civil Aviation Rules and Regulations 2000 as the secondary legislations.
The Ministry of Transport (MOT) is designated under the Act as the Civil Aviation Authority for Samoa, a role now with the Ministry of Works, Transport & Infrastructure (MWTI).
The Civil Aviation Division of the MWTI is tasked with enforcing the 1998 Civil Aviation Act, Civil Aviation Rules (CARs) & Regulations 2000 and advising the CEO on civil aviation policies to ensure Samoa complies with its obligations under ratified International Conventions, Treaties and Agreements.
Under its legal mandates, the Civil Aviation Division has responsibility for the safety oversight of all Civil Aviation Activities in Samoa, including:
- Air Operations
- Aircraft Maintenance and Airworthiness
- Maintenance Organisations
- Aerodrome Standards and Rescue Fire Services
- Aviation and Airline Security
- Air Traffic Services
- Airport Telecommunication
- Supply Organisations
- Personnel Licensing
- Monitor Samoa’s compliance with its obligations under existing Air Services Agreements
- Facilitate the issue of Air Service Licenses
- Maintain Samoa’s Aircraft Register
- Facilitate the issue of Civil Aviation Certificates – Air Operator, Airworthiness, Certificated Organisations etc
- Validate Foreign Pilot’s Licenses, Aircraft Engineering Licenses and issue Air Traffic Services Licenses
- Facilitate the entry regulation of itinerant aircraft into Samoan airports
Air Services to and from Samoa are in accordance with the current Air Services Agreements which Samoa has entered into with other States. These have progressed from Standard Bilateral to Open Skies Bilateral Air Services Agreements with the advent of global deregulation and liberalization. These liberalized regimes are actively promoted by ICAO with member States relaxing normal government restrictions to allow airlines to compete on a more equitable and commercially driven basis. The third and full liberalized Air Services Agreement Framework of which Samoa is a Party of is the Multi-Lateral Agreement on the Liberalization of Air Transport (MALIAT).
