Samoa and the United States Sign an Open Skies Agreement

2026-03-02 - 10:18

2nd March 2026 Taumeasina Island Resort, Apia Samoa. Samoa and the United States officially signed a bilateral Open Skies Treaty this afternoon that promises to remove restrictions on routes, strengthen economic ties, increase tourism, expand trade and make it easier for families to reconnect. The agreement was signed at a special reception held at Taumeasina Island Resort, in honor of US Deputy Secretary of State, Mr Christopher Landau. Samoa Prime Minister, Hon. La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, and the US Deputy Secretary of State, signed the agreement before a packed ballroom of Government, Private Sector and Development Partners. Samoa and USA sign an Open Skies Agreement that aims to expand aviation opportunities. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Landau said the new agreement establishes clear transparent rules that foster efficient market-based aviation. “This agreement is a critical step towards increasing the number of direct flights between Samoa and the United States..” “Since 1992, the United States has signed open skies agreements with more than a 135 partner nations worldwide.. “And we warmly welcome the great nation of Samoa, into this global network of open aviation markets” Landau explained that this agreement will enable airlines to create code sharing arrangements and develop new rules and open up new opportunities. “Experience shows that open markets, not government regulation, best support air service growth,” said Mr Landau. “This agreement will remove restrictions on routes. Strengthen economic ties, increase tourism, expand trade and make it easier for families to reconnect.” “This means economic opportunity for small businesses, exporters, students and investors in both the United States and so on. We’re also honored today to deliver Key Details of the Agreement Restoration of Ties: The treaty restores the open-skies relationship that ended in March 2019, when Samoa withdrew from the Multilateral Agreement on the Liberalization of International Air Transportation (MALIAT). Operational Freedom: Like other U.S. Open Skies agreements, it allows airlines from both nations to make their own commercial decisions on routes, capacity, and pricing without government interference. Aviation Strategy: The signing aligns with Samoa’s goal to revive Samoa Airways’ international jet services by late 2026, targeting major destinations including the United States. Landau, who assumed office as the 23rd U.S. Deputy Secretary of State on the 25th of March, 2026, is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Samoa since 2022.