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The South Pacific island nation of Samoa attracts attention with its breathtaking beaches alongside its robust Polynesian traditions and inviting hospitality. Airports in Samoa serve as essential links between its islands while enabling access to international destinations. If you’re either arriving from abroad or travelling between Samoa’s islands, knowledge of the airport network will enable you to organise your travel itinerary more effectively. Samoa features air transport facilities that range from large international airports to smaller airstrips where each serves distinct functions. Our guide will take you through the number of airports in Samoa along with their facilities and necessary information to optimise your travel experience.
Top 9 Airports In Samoa
Here are the top 9 airports in Samoa, most of which have limited operations.
1. Faleolo International Airport, APW
Photo: Виктор Пинчук / Wikimedia Commons
The primary airport in Samoa, Faleolo International Airport operates almost all international flights and stands as the largest airport in the nation. The airport stands approximately 40 kilometers to the west of Apia which serves as Samoa’s capital city. The main transit hub for Samoa connects international travelers to New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, and American Samoa. Recent years have seen major upgrades to the airport facilities that now include enhanced check-in counters, better immigration services, expanded duty-free shops, and more comfortable lounges.
Location: 40 km west of Apia, Upolu Island
Facilities: Duty-free shops, VIP lounge, restaurants, currency exchange, and rental cars
2. Maota Airport, MXS
Photo: G B_NZ / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Located on Samoa’s largest island, Savai’i, Maota Airport functions as the main domestic airport for the region. The airport situated close to Salelologa town establishes vital aerial connections between Savai’i and Upolu. Most island travelers travel by ferry between the two islands but Maota Airport remains important for people who choose air travel especially during emergencies or for quick trips. The airport maintains basic facilities which include a waiting area and ticketing counters despite its small size.
Location: Savai’i Island, near Salelologa
Facilities: Small terminal, waiting area, minimal services
Flights: Domestic flights to and from Faleolo International Airport
3. Asau Airport, AAU
Photo: Anna Zvereva / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
A small aviation facility known as Asau Airport services charter and private flights in northwestern Savai’i. This airport once hosted key domestic travel operations but no longer supports regular commercial flights. The airstrip serves as an important gateway for visitors exploring the region’s natural beauty through its pristine beaches and diving sites. The airport operates with just one runway and basic facilities yet continues to handle sporadic flights. The Asau airport serves as an example of a domestic airport in Samoa that operates intermittently to accommodate travelers in particular situations.
Location: Asau, Savai’i Island
Facilities: Basic runway, small terminal
Operations: Charter flights, private aviation
4. Fagali’i Airport, FGI
Photo: André Gerwing / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Fagali’i Airport near Apia served as a small facility for flights between Samoa and American Samoa. Travelers found the airport served as a practical option for expedient island transfers. The airport shut down permanently in 2019 because of safety problems along with noise complaints. The airport operated as one of Samoa’s leading hubs for short-distance flights before it shut down. The now-defunct Fagali’i airport remains a topic of debate during occasional discussions about potential reopening which underscores its importance in Samoa’s aviation history.
Location: 5 km southeast of Apia, Upolu Island
Previous Operations: Flights to and from Pago Pago
5. Afega Airstrip
Photo: Sarah Phillips / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Afega Airstrip existed as a minor aviation facility in the village of Afega on Upolu Island. This airstrip functioned mainly as a landing spot for small aircraft and occasionally accommodated emergency landings. Improved road networks and ferry services eventually rendered the airstrip obsolete. While not widely recognised, it is part of how many airports in Samoa exist, even if they are no longer active. The airstrip currently serves little purpose for aviation functions and operates without any commercial flights.
Location: Afega, Upolu Island
Facilities: Basic runway, no passenger services
Status: Non-operational
6. Satitoa Airstrip
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Satitoa Airstrip stands in eastern Upolu and served as an initial landing site for small airplanes. This airstrip connected remote communities to Apia at one point but stopped being used because there was insufficient demand. Now the airstrip stands abandoned with weeds and grass overtaking the runway. The airstrip belongs to Samoa’s aviation heritage while it stands among multiple abandoned airstrips in the country.
Location: Satitoa, Upolu Island
Purpose: Previously served small aircraft and emergency flights
7. Aleipata Airstrip
Photo: Rnd photography / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Aleipata Airstrip exists in Samoa’s Aleipata district as an obscure airstrip. This airstrip does not support regular flight operations but serves emergency landings and private aviation needs occasionally. Aleipata lacks commercial operations unlike Samoa’s international airports although it holds potential for future aviation development projects.
Location: Aleipata, Upolu Island
Facilities: Small airstrip, no passenger services
Operations: Emergency and private flights only
8. Lalomalava Airport
Photo: Quynh Tran / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
The small airstrip of Lalomalava Airport was situated near Lalomalava village on Savai’i Island. The airport provided domestic flight services between Savai’i and Upolu. As new transportation systems developed, the airport experienced reduced passenger numbers until it ultimately shut down. The airport remains a historical testament to the island’s aviation past since commercial flights no longer operate from its location.
Location: Lalomalava, Savai’i Island
Facilities: Basic airstrip, minimal infrastructure
Status: No longer operational
9. Lepa Airstrip
Photo: Don Ramey Logan / Wikimedia Commons
The village of Lepa on Upolu Island hosted a minor airstrip named Lepa Airstrip. The airstrip served mainly as a site for emergency landings while also hosting some charter flights. The Lepa Airstrip has ceased regular operations because of insufficient demand combined with access to larger airports nearby. Now the land of Lepa Airstrip serves as a space for local community activities which demonstrates how rural Samoa adapts its land use over time.
Location: Lepa, Upolu Island
Facilities: Grass runway, no terminal facilities
Status: Defunct
The operational airports in Samoa including Faleolo International Airport and various smaller airstrips remain essential for maintaining the nation’s transport connectivity. Operational airports provide uninterrupted service for both domestic and international flights despite the existence of abandoned airstrips. Your travel experience improves when you understand the airport options for flights to Apia or domestic journeys to Savai’i. Book your trip to Samoa with TripXL, as you explore Upolu’s beaches and venture into Savai’i we will guide your journey at every stage.
Cover Photo: Bao Menglong / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
