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FlIghts packed as hundreds travel to Samoa for celebrations

Flights to Apia are booked up this whole week, with hundreds of locals flying to the independent state of Samoa for different celebrations, including Samoa’s Independence Day which kicks off on Sunday with a church service.

 

Both airlines are flying — Polynesian Airlines and Inter Island Airways.

 

Samoa News was told last Friday, when its general manager went to fly to Samoa that Polynesian is currently flying only one of its planes to Pago — the 12-seater — as the other is being repaired, as of that day. As a result, flights on Friday were delayed to a point that its last flight of the day, normally scheduled to leave at 4:30 p.m., flew out at 10 p.m. that night — meaning it flew to Faleolo Airport and not the mountain airstrip, Fagali’i.

 

Samoa News understands Polynesian has since had to charter the Inter Island plane for some additional flights to handle it’s backlog of passengers due to the break down. It is unclear at this time when its second aircraft will resume its flight schedule.

 

Inter Island Airways has continued to meet its own commitment of daily flights to Samoa.

 

Both airlines are said to be adding more flights to handle the heavy load.

 

Acting Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga will be representing the territory at Samoa’s Independence Day festivities where the staff and management of Bluesky Communications— along with their Apia counterparts— will be performing.

 

To add to the travel overload, also on the agenda is the dedication of the Immaculate Conception of Mary Cathedral at Mulivai, where Bishop Peter Brown of the Diocese of Samoa Pago Pago will be present, along with a group of local priests, catechists, church officials and the Diocese choir.

 

The dedication will take place on Saturday (Samoa Time) while cultural presentations will be carried out the day before.

 

On Sunday (Samoa Time), activities will begin for the week long celebrations to mark the 150-year anniversary of the Sisters of the Society of Mary (SMSM) in both Samoas. Former SMSM students in Tutuila will be traveling to Apia to take part in the joyous celebrations.