Talofa Airways Explained

Airline:	Talofa Airways
Iata:	TA
Icao:	TAL
Callsign:	TALOFA
Commenced:	29 August 2016
Fleet Size:	2
Destinations:	3
Headquarters:	Apia, Samoa

Talofa Airways is a Samoan airline that offers flights within the Polynesian region. It started operations in August 2016 using two Rockwell 690B Turbo Commander aircraft. Talofa Airways is the third airline based in Samoa, after Samoa Air and Polynesian Airlines.

As of September 2016, the airline serves three destinations in the region.

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.^{[1] [2]} After opening a pharmacy in Apia in 2002, Hunter began to invest towards establishing Talofa Airways, which would provide more convenient air travel between Samoa, American Samoa and other islands in Polynesia.^[3] He selected the Rockwell 690B Turbo Commander in a nine-seat configuration for the airline's fleet. In order to avoid the high costs of transporting the aircraft to Samoa, Hunter flew the aircraft from Florida himself.

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. Talofa Airways began operations on 29 August 2016,^[4] becoming the third airline based in Samoa after Polynesian Airlines and Samoa Air.^[5]

Corporate affairs

The airline takes its name from the traditional Samoan greeting Talofa, signifying Talofa Airways' Samoan roots. It is headquartered in Taufusi, Apia.^[6] Toleafoa Jeffrey Hunter serves as the chairman and Chief executive officer.

Destinations

As of September 2016, Talofa Airways flies to the following destinations:

^{[7] [8] [9]}

Country	City	Airport	Notes
Samoa	Apia	Faleolo International Airport	Base
United States	Pago Pago	Pago Pago International Airport
Tonga	Nuku'alofa	Fua'amotu International Airport

Fleet

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

Accidents and incidents

• On 12 January 2017, a Talofa Airways Rockwell 690B Turbo Commander was involved in an accident after a normal landing at Pago Pago International Airport (American Samoa). There were no reported injuries or fatalities.^[10]
• on 24 July 2024 a Talofa Airways Rockwell 690B Turbo Commander broke its front wheel on landing at Pago Pago International Airport. None of the eight passengers were injured.^[11]

External links

• • Video of inauguration ceremony, 22 August 2016

Notes and References

1. New Airline for Samoa . Government of Samoa . 23 August 2016 . 5 September 2016.
2. News: Dream realized with the launch of Talofa Airways . . 23 August 2016 . 5 September 2016 . Tupufia, Lanuola.
3. When in Samoa, Fly With Talofa and its Twin Commanders . Flight Levels Online . 2016 . 21 . 3.
4. News: Samoa's Talofa Airways commences operations . ch-aviation . 1 September 2016 . 5 September 2016.
5. News: Samoa Talofa Airways ready to take off after launch . . 22 August 2016 . 6 September 2016.
6. Web site: Contact Us . Talofa Airways . 5 September 2016.
7. News: Talofa Airways will soon spread its wings . Talanei . 8 August 2016 . 5 September 2016.
8. Web site: Talofa Airways . ch-aviation . 22 November 2016.
9. Web site: Talofa Airways begins direct flights to Tonga . . 20 June 2017.
10. News: Landing scare for Talofa Airways plane. Samoa Observer. 2018-01-13.
11. Web site: Passengers survive landing accident . Samoa Observer . 24 July 2024 . 24 July 2024.