Owais Crawford
Samoa's main international airport is Faleolo International Airport (IATA: APW, ICAO: NSFA), located on the northwestern coast of the island of Upolu, approximately a 45 to 50-minute drive from the capital, Apia. The airport has a modest size and offers various amenities, including shops, restaurants, banks, and car rental services. Faleolo International Airport serves as a hub for flights to American Samoa, with frequent daily connections. Samoa's other airfields include Fagali’i Airport, Maota Airport, and Asau Airport, but Faleolo remains the primary gateway for visitors to the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Faleolo International Airport |
| IATA Code | APW |
| ICAO Code | NSFA |
| Location | 40 kilometres (25 mi) west of Apia, the capital of Samoa |
| Elevation | 58 feet (18 m) above mean sea level |
| Runway | One runway designated 08/26 with an asphalt surface measuring 3,000 by 45 metres (9,843 ft × 148 ft) |
| Runway Pavement Classification Number | 058FBXT |
| Control Tower | Faleolo Tower, assisted by the tower at Nadi, Fiji |
| Airspace Jurisdiction | Faleolo Tower has jurisdiction over the airspace of American Samoa, Tonga, and Samoa |
| Facilities | Restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, telecom outlets, banks, car rental companies, Samoa Tourism Information office |
| Airlines | Samoa Airways, Talofa Airways |
| Historical Incidents | 1970: Polynesian Airlines Flight 208B crashed into the sea after take-off, killing all 32 people on board; 1994: Polynesian Airlines Boeing 737-300 made an emergency landing due to a body jammed in the wheel well; 2000: Air New Zealand flight NZ60 nearly overshot the runway due to a faulty instrument landing system |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Faleolo International Airport
The airport has undergone several upgrades over the years. Initially, until 1984, Faleolo could not accommodate jets larger than a Boeing 737, and international flights had to land at Pago Pago International Airport in American Samoa. However, after the airport's expansion, it became capable of handling larger jets, and direct flights to New Zealand became possible. Further upgrades were carried out in the late 1980s and in 2000 to accommodate larger jets and increase tourism. The airport is at an elevation of 58 feet (18 m) above mean sea level and has a single runway designated 08/26 with an asphalt surface.
The airport has a rich history, with the land originally belonging to the village of Satuimalufilufi until 1942 when it was taken over by the New Zealand colonial administration for defence purposes during World War II. The United States Navy Seabees constructed an airfield, which later became Faleolo Airfield, completed in July 1942. Over the years, the airport has witnessed several incidents, including crashes and emergency landings, some of which have been incorporated into training programmes to improve aviation safety.
Exploring Branson's Air Travel Options: Airport Accessibility
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Adventure Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81rRihqWqgL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Location
The main airport in Samoa is Faleolo International Airport (IATA: APW, ICAO: NSFA). It is located on the northwestern coast of the island of Upolu, approximately a 45 to 50-minute drive (or 35 minutes, according to another source) from the capital, Apia. The airport is 40 kilometres (25 mi) west of Apia, or 32 kilometres (20 mi) according to another source. The airport is at an elevation of 58 feet (18 m) above mean sea level.
Faleolo International Airport is a relatively large and modern airport for such a small island nation. It is a modest-sized airport with the Samoa Tourism Information office, souvenir shops, two telco outlets, two banks, and several car rental companies. There are also various restaurants and cafes. Food, mostly snacks and cabinet food, is available to purchase from the public area of the Arrivals Terminal, as well as in the Departures Terminal. Shuttle buses can be booked before or after arrival, or you can take a taxi (it is recommended to agree on a fare before travelling). There is also a regular bus service from the airport to Apia from the main road outside the terminal.
Faleolo Airport is Samoa's main international airport. Until 1984, Faleolo could not accommodate jets larger than a Boeing 737. Services to the United States, Australia, or New Zealand could only land at Pago Pago International Airport in American Samoa. Since the airport's expansion, most international traffic now uses Faleolo. Samoa is accessible to the rest of the world through New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, and Hawaii with a frequent international arrivals schedule.
Faleolo is assisted by the tower at Nadi, Fiji, and the whole area is under Oceanic Control from Auckland, New Zealand. The airport has one runway designated 08/26 with an asphalt surface measuring 3,000 by 45 metres (9,843 ft × 148 ft). The Pavement Classification Number for the runway is 058FBXT. Faleolo Tower has some jurisdiction over the airspace of American Samoa and Tonga as well as its own airspace.
Harrods Stores: Which Airports Have This Luxury Retailer?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Scenic Drives Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/814R4OsGtCL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
History
Faleolo International Airport (IATA: APW, ICAO: NSFA) is Samoa's main airport. It is located on the main island of Upolu, 40 kilometres (25 mi) west of the capital, Apia. The airport is at an elevation of 58 feet (18 m) above mean sea level.
The airport has a rich history, dating back to World War II. In 1942, the New Zealand colonial administration took land from the village of Satuimalufilufi for defence purposes, forcing the village to relocate. The United States Navy Seabees of the 1st Construction Battalion constructed an airfield and Naval Base Upolu. The Faleolo Airfield was completed in July 1942 and became an auxiliary field of the U.S. Naval Station Tutuila in the Samoa Defense Group Area during the Pacific War.
After the war, the airport was used for flying boats as part of the coral route, but the airstrip itself was little-used. In 1957, the airport was upgraded to accommodate land-based aircraft, and in 1967, heavy rain and flooding eroded the airstrip, leading to a three-day closure. The Samoan government then sought a loan from New Zealand and the Asian Development Bank to upgrade the airport to handle heavier aircraft. The upgrade was completed in April 1972, with a 5,500-foot (1,700 m) sealed runway capable of handling jets up to the size of a Boeing 737.
In the late 1980s, the airport was expanded to accommodate larger jets and increase tourism. This expansion led to most international traffic using Faleolo, instead of Pago Pago International Airport in American Samoa. The airport has continued to undergo upgrades and improvements over the years, including a further extension in 2018, which involved the Samoan government forcibly relocating families.
Faleolo International Airport has also witnessed several notable incidents. In 1950, a Royal New Zealand Air Force plane crashed shortly after takeoff, killing seven people. In 1970, a Polynesian Airlines flight crashed into the sea shortly after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of all 32 people on board. More recently, in 1994, a Polynesian Airlines Boeing 737-300 made an emergency landing at Faleolo due to a stowaway jammed in the wheel well, and in 2000, an Air New Zealand flight nearly overshot the runway due to a faulty instrument landing system.
JFK Airport: Best Places to Sleep Over
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Facilities
Faleolo International Airport is Samoa's main international airport, located on the island of Upolu, approximately a 45 to 50-minute drive from the capital, Apia. The airport has undergone several upgrades over the years to accommodate larger jets and increase tourism. It is equipped with a single runway designated 08/26, measuring 3,000 by 45 metres, and an asphalt surface.
The facilities at Faleolo International Airport include:
- Food options: Snacks and cabinet food are available in the public area of the Arrivals Terminal and in the Departures Terminal after passing through security.
- Shops: Various shops, including Janet's, Lokostyle, Horizons Surf Shop, Besties, and Eveni Carruthers, are present in both the Arrivals and Departures Terminals.
- Banks and Foreign Exchange: BSP and ANZ banks provide foreign exchange services and ATMs in the Arrivals Lounge. Western Union also offers foreign currency services in the Departures Terminal.
- Samoa Tourism Information office: Visitors can obtain information and assistance from the Samoa Tourism Information office located within the airport.
- Telecommunication outlets: Two telco outlets are available for purchasing local SIM cards or other telecommunication needs.
- Car rental: Several car rental companies operate at the airport, providing convenient transport options for travellers.
- Samoa Airways lounge: Business Class passengers travelling with Samoa Airways can access the exclusive Samoa Airways lounge, while others can purchase a single access pass.
- Transport services: Shuttle buses, taxis, and regular buses are available for transport to and from the airport.
- Other amenities: Faleolo International Airport also provides essential amenities such as toilets, including disabled access toilets, and a comprehensive check-in, security, immigration, customs, and biosecurity process for arriving and departing passengers.
Faleolo International Airport serves as a gateway to Samoa, offering a range of facilities and services to enhance the travel experience for visitors to the country.
Airport Services in Siesta Key, Florida: What's Available?
You may want to see also
Transport
Samoa has one international airport, Faleolo International Airport, located on the northwest coast of the main island of Upolu. The airport is 40 kilometres (25 miles) west of Apia, the capital of Samoa. Faleolo International Airport serves as the primary gateway for visitors to Samoa, offering a range of facilities, including shops, restaurants, banks, and
The airport has undergone several upgrades over the years to accommodate larger jets and increase tourism. Flights connect Samoa to various destinations, including New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. Additionally, there are domestic airports on Savai'i, the other main island, such as Asau and Maota.
Samoa has a well-developed network of paved highways connecting most parts of the two main islands, Upolu and Savai'i. Bus services are available on both islands, with the busiest routes centred in Apia. Additionally, Samoa maintains the German practice of driving on the right-hand side of the road, a unique feature among its Australasian neighbours.
For travel between the two main islands, Savai'i and Upolu, a car ferry operates five times daily between the ports of Mulifanua and Salelologa, with a journey time of approximately 75 minutes. This ferry accommodates passengers, vehicles, and cargo.
Shattered Dreams: Airport Security and Glass Detection
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Faleolo International Airport (IATA: APW, ICAO: NSFA).
Faleolo International Airport is located on the northwestern coast of the island of Upolu, approximately a 45 to 50-minute drive from Apia, the capital of Samoa.
Yes, there are other airfields in Samoa, including Fagali’i Airport (FGI), Maota Airport (MXS and AAU), and Asau Airport. However, Faleolo Airport is the main international airport.
Faleolo International Airport has a variety of facilities, including shops, restaurants, cafes, banks, car rental companies, and a Samoa Tourism Information office. There are also network provider offices and a Samoa Tourism Authority office outside the Arrivals Terminal.
There are several options for transportation to and from Faleolo International Airport, including shuttle buses, taxis, and regular buses to Apia from the main road outside the airport.
