“Minister reiterates safety concerns pertaining to Samoa Airways aircraft”
APIA, 03 November, 2021;
The safety and security of those who will be using Samoa Airways services remains the paramount concern and utmost priority to the Civil Aviation Minister, regardless of any “missed (business) opportunity” as cited by the Opposition.
Standing by his previous comments, Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure (M.W.T.I.), Honorable Olo Afoa Fiti Vaai said he cannot endorse to bring the Samoa Airways Boeing 737-800 aircraft before technical checks are fully completed and fully complies with the national and international standards and recommended practices, that Samoa is obligated to meet.
He was responding to former Samoa Airways Minister, Honorable Lautafi Fio Purcell’s claims that Samoa has missed out on millions after Cabinet approved repatriation flights to be operated by Qantas, Air New Zealand and Fiji Airways.
“I strongly believe the former Samoa Airways Minister and previous Government did not understand everything involved with acquiring an aircraft, because they clearly overlooked the technical aspect and the safety and security requirements of this process,” countered Hon. Olo.
“Their only focus was to generate an income.
What’s the use of forecasting income when New Zealand and Australia will not allow the aircraft to operate to and from their airports because they don’t have the proper required documentation?”
The aircraft continues to undergo technical checks for the certification project while it is parked in Brisbane, Australia. So far, out of three (3) main tasks (including numerous sub-tasks) required by the Samoa Airways in order to operate commercial flights, it has only completed one.
“Any country that looks to acquire an aircraft must first look at the safety and security of the people who will be using it,” said Hon. Olo.
“Acquiring an aircraft is not like buying a car. If the car breaks down, you can get out and walk. You cannot do that with an aircraft; people’s lives are at stake.
“As the Minister of Aviation, I will not allow this aircraft to operate before the technical checks are completed and fully compliant with Samoa’s legislated safety and security reequipment applicable to being a B7373-800 airline operator, on top of meeting the relevant International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).”
The technical checks for two of the most important certifications for the airline, which are the Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA) and the Air Operator Certificate (AOC), are still underway.
“The process has been prolonged because this is a new type of aircraft registered in the Samoa Register of Aircrafts,” said Hon. Olo
“In order to acquire such certifications, we are utilising inspectors from the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) of which Samoa chairs and is a member of, to carry out such technical assessments and inspections for Samoa.
“If there is no recommendation to approve the Certificates from PASO, I will not agree to anything, no matter how long it takes.”
Moreover, the national carrier’s decision to park the aircraft in Brisbane has proven difficult for PASO inspectors to conduct required physical checks due to COVID-19 lockdowns, as they are based in New Zealand.
He also addressed queries on how the aircraft was able to fly from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Brisbane Australia.
Hon. Olo explained that the aircraft flew into Brisbane Australia on a restricted Export CofA, as a non-passenger (non-commercial) flight under a Registration that doesn’t belong to Samoa and was not operated by Samoa Airways. However, since it is now a Samoan registered aircraft, the airline must acquire an AOC and CofA in order to operate as an aircraft belonging to the Independent State of Samoa.
“Also, even after the two Certificates are issued to Samoa Airways, there is still a need to apply for a Foreign Air Operating Certificate in order to operate to/from New Zealand and Australia, hence the need to complete these technical requirements properly,” Hon. Olo said.
The Honorable Minister concluded with: “The safety and security of Samoan people is the most important aspect of this process.
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