Airlines work to settle debt - Minister

By Ilia L. Likou 04 May 2017, 12:00AM

The Minister of Public Enterprises, Lautafi Fio Purcell, remains hopeful that a debt owed by Samoa Air to Polynesian Airlines can be paid without the parties going to Court.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, the Minister said Samoa Air owes Polynesian Airlines between “$50,000 and $70,000.” 

He said they are working on an agreement so the debt can be settled.

Repeated attempts to contact Samoa Air for a comment were unsuccessful.

But the Minister said the debt is from several years ago and it has accumulated since.

“I can confirm that Samoa Air has an outstanding there with Polynesian Airlines,” he said. “This goes back during its time at Fagali'i Airport.”

The Minister said he hopes the matter will not reach Court.

"But it can end up there if negotiations and an agreement between the two parties is not reached,” he said.

“For the time being, we need to work on this agreement and see what both parties can agree to so we can sort this debt out." 

The Minster said it’s important for Polynesian Airlines to recover its money.

 “This is what happened to this kind of business,” said Lautafi. “They came and left without paying their debt.”

By Ilia L. Likou 04 May 2017, 12:00AM
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