Samoa's prime minister has warned a new airline Talofa Airways to be wary of piling up debt by being lenient with fares for church ministers and MPs.
The Samoan Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi speaks at the launching of the new Talofa Airways at Fagalii airport on August 22 2016 Photo: RNZI/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
At the airline's launch this week Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi suggested Talofa could learn from the mistakes of Polynesian Airlines.
He revealed some of the main reasons for past debt piled up by that airline including factors like employing five hundred people to work for only one jet aircraft.
Tuila'epa warned Talofa Airways not to consider church fundraising trips or church ministers asking for airfares to be paid later, saying they are not trustworthy when it comes to money.
He said some former MPs who had led fundraising trips overseas under the same method had also contributed to the country's previous airline debts.
The prime minister has challenged the management of Talofa Airways to see if they could beat Polynesian Airlines' profitable inter-island service.
American Samoan officials have welcomed the new airline at a separate launch in Pago Pago.
Lieutenant Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga said while it was a commercial venture, it was also a public service and one that is needed by American Samoa and Samoa.
He urged the owners to operate their airline according to family values and to treat each individual with kindness and respect.
American Samoa's Lt Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga at the Pago Pago launch of Talofa Airways Photo: RNZI/Monica Miller
The airline begins services next Tuesday and will start off with six daily flights.
Talofa Airways will operate two nine seater Twin Commander aircraft and also hopes to fly into Tonga later this year.
