Today Air New Zealand operates its first repatriation flight from Sydney, Australia to Apia, Samoa. Flight NZ1960
departed Sydney around 11:00am AEST and is currently on its way to Apia. The flight is Air New Zealand’s first
repatriation flight to Samoa from outside New Zealand.
Air New Zealand is working with the Samoan Government to return Samoan citizens home on the charter service which is
expected to arrive into Faleolo Airport, Samoa around 8:00pm local time.
All passengers were required to meet the Samoan Government’s entry requirements and return a negative COVID-19 test
prior to departure.
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will carry around 300 Samoan nationals and residents, many of whom have been stranded in
Australia since borders closed in March.
Air New Zealand's Country Manager Samoa Karen Gatt says the airline is pleased to be supporting the Samoan Government
with the safe repatriation of Samoan residents from Australia.
“Air New Zealand has repatriated more than 2,000 Samoan nationals and residents from New Zealand since May and we are
proud to help bring Samoan nationals and residents home during these uncertain times. We look forward to continuing to
support the Samoan Government with repatriating their citizens in the future.”