Qantas Airways Limited, out of Australia is seeking a license to operate flights, between Samoa and Australia.
A public notice printed in the local newspaper, states that 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. This was after a legal opinion, issued by the Latu Lawyer firm upon the request of the Government-owned airline Minister, Leatinuu Wayne Sooialo for a legal review of the lease.
Samoa Airways allegedly “breached the solvency requirements of the Companies Act 2001, which attract both civil and criminal sanctions.”
Obtained by Radio Polynesia last December the legal review, endorsed by Taulapapa Brenda Latu; also found that Samoa Airways accumulated debt of up to $80 million.
This placed the Airline in a highly distressed financial position which on any assessment reflects a company that is technically insolvent as it is ‘unable to pay its debts as they fall due.
The legal opinion says the Samoa Airways Board of Directors approved the Lease and it would also appear to be individually breaching statutory directors’ duties under the same Act by failing to properly inform the shareholder of its financial position and continuing to trade whilst insolvent.
