Expression of Interest for Samoa Aviation Analysis

Expression Of Interest Are Invited For Samoa Aviation Analysis. Before Covid Struck, Tourism Was One Of Samoas Key Economic Drivers. Providing Safe, Efficient And Affordable International Air Transport Is Essential To This Industry, And To The Considerable Benefits It Can Provide To The Local Economy. Established In 2017 As Part Of Efforts To Boost Tourism, Samoa Airlines Struggled To Establish A Solid Financial Footing, Requiring Ongoing Government Support To Keep Operating Even Before The Pandemic Hit. Covid Was A Crippling Blow To Its Viability. The Current Government, Elected In 2021, Decided To Take Steps To Limit The Fiscal Damage. The Board Was Replaced, And In Early 2022 The Government Negotiated The Termination Of The Airlines Existing 737 Aircraft Lease Agreement And Removed The Ceo. Samoa Airways No Longer Has The Capacity To Provide International Connectivity, Retaining Only Three Small Turbo Prop Aircraft For Inter-Island Travel. With The Opening Of Borders To International Travel From July 2022, Samoa Desperately Needs A Return Of International Tourism And Other Trade To Support Economic Recovery From Covid. International Aviation Connectivity Is Key To This. At The Same Time The Government Does Not Have The Fiscal Capacity To Sustain A National Carrier. The Government Has Requested Ifc Support To Identify And Assess Future Aviation Connectivity Options, With A Focus On: (A) Providing Reliable Aviation Connectivity, Given Its Importance To The Development Of Tourism And Trade For Economic Growth, And (B) Minimizing The Governments Fiscal Exposure Given The Bleak History Of The Costs Of Operating The National Airline And Its Impact On The National Budget. Publication Date: 06-Sep-2022. Expression Of Interest Deadline: 19-Sep-2022 Tender Link :