Talofa Airways

Last updated
Talofa Airways
Talofa Airways logo.jpg
IATA ICAO Call sign
TATALTALOFA
Commenced operations29 August 2016
Operating bases Faleolo International Airport (Apia)
Fleet size3
Destinations2
Headquarters Apia, Samoa
Key peopleToleafoa Jeffrey Hunter, CEO
Website www.talofaairways.com

Talofa Airways is a Samoan airline that offers flights within the Polynesian region between Samoa and American Samoa. It started operations in August 2016 using two Rockwell 690B Turbo Commander aircraft, and added a third to its fleet in October 2023. [1]

Contents

History

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 in Samoa rather than return to the United States. [2] [3] After opening a pharmacy in Apia in 2002, Hunter began to invest towards establishing Talofa Airways, [3] which would provide more convenient air travel between Samoa, American Samoa and other islands in Polynesia. [4] He selected the Rockwell 690B Turbo Commander in a nine-seat configuration for the airline's fleet. [4] In order to avoid the high costs of transporting the aircraft to Samoa, Hunter flew the aircraft from Florida himself. [3]

On 22 August 2016, the airline held an inauguration ceremony at Apia's Fagali'i Airport with Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi in attendance. [2] Talofa Airways began operations on 29 August 2016, [5] becoming the third airline based in Samoa after Polynesian Airlines and Samoa Air. [6]

Corporate affairs

The airline takes its name from the traditional Samoan greeting Talofa , signifying Talofa Airways' Samoan roots. [3] It is headquartered in Taufusi, Apia. [7] Toleafoa Jeffrey Hunter serves as the chairman and chief executive officer.

Destinations

As of January 2025, Talofa Airways flies to the following destinations:

CountryCityIATAICAOAirportBeginsEndsRefs
American Samoa Pago Pago PPGNSTU Pago Pago International Airport 2016Present [8]
Samoa Apia APWNSFA Faleolo International Airport 2016Present [8]
Tonga Tongatapu TBUNFTF Fuaʻamotu International Airport 20162024

Fleet

A Talofa Airways Rockwell 690B Turbo Commander at Fagali'i Airport, Apia Talofa Airways 5W-JMJ, Sep 2016.jpg
A Talofa Airways Rockwell 690B Turbo Commander at Fagali'i Airport, Apia

As of September 2016, Talofa Airways operates the following aircraft: [4]

Talofa Airways fleet
AircraftIn serviceOrdersPassengersNotes
Rockwell 690B Turbo Commander 3—9—
Total30

Accidents and incidents

References

  1. ↑ "Talofa Airways welcomes new aircraft". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  2. 1 2 "New Airline for Samoa" (Press release). Government of Samoa. 23 August 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Tupufia, Lanuola (23 August 2016). "Dream realized with the launch of Talofa Airways". Samoa Observer . Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 "When in Samoa, Fly With Talofa and its Twin Commanders". Flight Levels Online. 21 (3). 2016.
  5. ↑ "Samoa's Talofa Airways commences operations". ch-aviation. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  6. ↑ "Samoa Talofa Airways ready to take off after launch". Radio New Zealand . 22 August 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  7. ↑ "Contact Us". Talofa Airways. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  8. 1 2 Airways, Talofa. "Flight Routes". Talofa Airways. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  9. ↑ "Landing scare for Talofa Airways plane". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 2018-01-13.
  10. ↑ "Passengers survive landing accident". Samoa Observer. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.

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