Talofa Airways
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| Commenced operations | 29 August 2016 | ||||||
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| Operating bases | Faleolo International Airport(Apia) | ||||||
| Fleet size | 2 | ||||||
| Destinations | 3 | ||||||
| Headquarters | Apia,Samoa | ||||||
| Key people | Toleafoa Jeffrey Hunter,CEO | ||||||
| Website | www | ||||||
Talofa Airwaysis aSamoanairline that offers flights within thePolynesian region.It started operations in August 2016 using twoRockwell 690B Turbo Commanderaircraft. Talofa Airways is the third airline based in Samoa, afterSamoa AirandPolynesian Airlines.
As of September 2016, the airline serves three destinations in the region.
History
[edit]Toleafoa Jeffrey Hunter, the founder of Talofa Airways, first had plans to set up an airline business in the region in 1996, when he decided to remain inSamoarather than return to theUnited States.[1][2]After opening a pharmacy inApiain 2002, Hunter began to invest towards establishing Talofa Airways,[2]which would provide more convenient air travel betweenSamoa,American Samoaand other islands inPolynesia.[3]He selected theRockwell 690B Turbo Commanderin a nine-seat configuration for the airline's fleet.[3]In order to avoid the high costs of transporting the aircraft to Samoa, Hunter flew the aircraft fromFloridahimself.[2]
On 22 August 2016, the airline held an inauguration ceremony at Apia'sFagali'i Airportwith Samoan Prime MinisterTuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoiin attendance.[1]Talofa Airways began operations on 29 August 2016,[4]becoming the third airline based in Samoa afterPolynesian AirlinesandSamoa Air.[5]
Corporate affairs
[edit]The airline takes its name from the traditional Samoan greetingTalofa,signifying Talofa Airways' Samoan roots.[2]It is headquartered inTaufusi,Apia.[6]Toleafoa Jeffrey Hunter serves as the chairman andChief executive officer.
Destinations
[edit]As of September 2016, Talofa Airways flies to the following destinations:
| Country | City | Airport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samoa | Apia | Faleolo International Airport | Base |
| United States | Pago Pago | Pago Pago International Airport | — |
| Tonga | Nuku'alofa | Fua'amotu International Airport | — |
Fleet
[edit]
As of September 2016, Talofa Airways operates the following aircraft:[3]
| Aircraft | In service | Orders | Passengers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockwell 690B Turbo Commander | 2 | — | 9 | — |
| Total | 2 | 0 | ||
Accidents and incidents
[edit]- On 12 January 2017, a Talofa Airways Rockwell 690B Turbo Commander was involved in an accident after a normal landing at Pago Pago International Airport (American Samoa). There were no reported injuries or fatalities.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ab"New Airline for Samoa"(Press release). Government of Samoa. 23 August 2016.Retrieved5 September2016.
- ^abcdTupufia, Lanuola (23 August 2016)."Dream realized with the launch of Talofa Airways".Samoa Observer.Retrieved5 September2016.
- ^abc"When in Samoa, Fly With Talofa and its Twin Commanders".Flight Levels Online.21(3). 2016.
- ^"Samoa's Talofa Airways commences operations".ch-aviation.1 September 2016.Retrieved5 September2016.
- ^"Samoa Talofa Airways ready to take off after launch".Radio New Zealand.22 August 2016.Retrieved6 September2016.
- ^"Contact Us".Talofa Airways.Retrieved5 September2016.
- ^ "Talofa Airways will soon spread its wings".Talanei.8 August 2016.Retrieved5 September2016.
- ^"Talofa Airways".ch-aviation.Retrieved22 November2016.
- ^"Talofa Airways begins direct flights to Tonga".Samoa Observer.Retrieved20 June2017.
- ^"Landing scare for Talofa Airways plane".Samoa Observer.Retrieved2018-01-13.
External links
[edit]
Media related toTalofa Airwaysat Wikimedia Commons
Airlines ofSamoa | ||
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| Active |  | |
| Defunct | ||