Sydney, NEW ZEALAND — Air New Zealand operated its first repatriation flight from Sydney, Australia to Apia, Samoa on Friday (Samoa time). Flight NZ1960 departed Sydney around 11:00am AEST. 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 arrived 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 carried 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.”