The Fagali'i airport in Independent Samoa closed permanently on the final day of 2019. All flights between American Samoa and Independent Samoa will now go through the Faleolo International Airport. Officials cite that the change is due to safety concerns regarding the old Fagali'i airstrip.
For international travelers who want to transit through Independent Samoa to get to American Samoa, this change appears to be a plus as travelers no longer
have to drive the 40-minute drive from the Faleolo International Airport to the Fagali'i airport to catch a connecting flight to American Samoa. For local travelers or commuters who head to Apia for business, the change is a bit of an inconvenience however if you've every flown into Fagali'i, you are probably thinking this is long over due.