Samoa airport fee increase sparks wrath of global airline group, concern for diaspora and tourism

Airport fee hikes will make it more expensive for tourists to visit Samoa and penalise the country’s diaspora community, an airline group says.

The International Air Transport Association (Iata) said airlines operating to Samoa recently received notice of big increases in airport fees.

All teenagers and adults flying out of Samoa will soon have to pay $180, with airfares absorbing the charges.

The fee hike was first set to take effect on February 16 but after lobbying that was pushed back to March 1.

Sheldon Hee, Iata’s Asia Pacific regional vice president, said the increase was still concerning.

Hee said Iata was urging the Government to reconsider the fee increases and engage the industry in better dialogue.

“The fee increases not only make it more expensive for tourists visiting Samoa, but also add to the travel cost burden of Samoan nationals, and the Samoan diaspora,” he added.

“The Government should be looking to aviation and the connectivity it provides as a strategic asset that supports tourism, trade and community ties.”

Hee said air travel was a social and economic catalyst, especially for island states such as Samoa.

The Samoa Observer said new charges of $180 per passenger departing Samoa would take effect from March 1.

“The departure tax for passengers 12 years and older will increase from $65 to $80, while passengers under 12 will not be affected,” the Samoa Observer added.

“In addition, a new aerodrome facility charge of $100 per passenger will apply to all travellers.”

Stats NZ said there were about 213,000 Samoans in New Zealand in the census three years ago.

Samoa Bureau of Statistics last year said New Zealand provided 51.3% of all visitors to the country.

In the month of August last year, 8833 people flew from New Zealand to Samoa.

Of those, 5041 said they were there to have a holiday and 3241 listed visiting friends or relatives as the purpose of their trip.

Air New Zealand carried 42.4% of all visitors to Samoa that month.

Fiji Airways, Qantas, Samoa Airways, Talofa Airways and Virgin Australia were the next biggest carriers.

John Weekes is a business journalist covering aviation and court. He has previously covered consumer affairs, crime, politics and courts.