Aviation History
Samoan aviation centers on Polynesian Airlines, founded in 1959 as one of the Pacific's earliest regional carriers. Its international jet operations were rebranded through partnerships as Polynesian Blue (2005) and then Virgin Samoa (2011) before the Samoan government relaunched full state control in 2017 as Samoa Airways, which later scaled back international jet service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Polynesian Airlines begins operations in August, providing Samoa's first scheduled domestic and international air service.
A Polynesian Airlines flight crashes near Faleolo International Airport on 13 January, killing 29 of those aboard, one of Samoa's worst aviation accidents.
International jet routes are rebranded as Polynesian Blue, a Virgin-affiliated joint venture, while Polynesian Airlines continues domestic turboprop service.
The international joint-venture carrier is renamed Virgin Samoa.
The Samoan government ends the Virgin partnership and relaunches full state ownership of international routes under the new name Samoa Airways.
Samoa Airways suspends jet and international operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, reverting to regional turboprop service.
Samoa Airways · Polynesian Airlines (historical) · Virgin Samoa (historical)
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