Samoa has implemented WST180 (US$67) in new airport departure taxes effective March 1, 2026, applying to all passengers aged 12 and older departing from Faleolo International Airport and other Samoan airports. The charges comprise a WST100 Aerodrome Facility Charge and an increased WST80 Passenger Facility Charge. Transit passengers staying less than 24 hours pay the full amount, and the fees are automatically added to airfares by Samoa Airways and Talofa Airways.
Round-trip travelers from Europe now face $134 USD in additional costs — $67 on each departure from Samoa. The regulation applies to all tickets purchased or modified on or after March 1, with no exemptions except by Cabinet approval. Below: how the fee structure works, what transit passengers must know, and the three steps to verify charges before booking.
Samoa’s government signed the Airport Authority (Fees, Levies and Charges) Amendment Regulation 2026 into law this month, raising departure costs by $67 USD per person for every outbound flight. The increase targets infrastructure funding at Faleolo International Airport (APW), Fagali’i Airport (FGI), and smaller domestic terminals, but it directly inflates ticket prices for European travelers routing through the South Pacific.
The WST180 total breaks into two components: a new WST100 Aerodrome Facility Charge covering runway and terminal maintenance, and an increased WST80 Passenger Facility Charge for security and passenger services. Both apply only to departures — arrivals into Samoa remain unaffected.
Transit passengers face the harshest impact. A European traveler connecting through Samoa to New Zealand for less than 24 hours pays the full $67 USD departure tax plus any entry permit fees, adding $100+ USD to what was already a multi-leg journey. Airlines cannot waive the charges — the Samoa Airport Authority mandates automatic inclusion in all fares.
How the fee structure works
The WST180 departure total applies uniformly across all Samoan airports, with no distinction between international and domestic routes. Passengers aged 12 and older pay the full amount; children under 12 are exempt. The Samoa Airport Authority clarified that the fee applies once per departure — not per round trip — correcting earlier reports that suggested a WST280 return total.
Airlines operating Samoa routes — primarily Samoa Airways and Talofa Airways — automatically add the charges as separate line items in ticket breakdowns. The regulation bypassed typical airline consultation periods, prompting opposition from IATA, which warned the fees disproportionately burden tourists (46% of visitors) and diaspora travelers (38% visiting friends and relatives). A fee implementation delay pushed the effective date from February 16 to March 1 after carrier pushback, but the charges remain in force.
| Fee component | Amount (WST) | Amount (USD) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerodrome Facility Charge | 100 | 35 | Runway/terminal maintenance |
| Passenger Facility Charge | 80 | 28 | Security/passenger services |
| Total per departure | 180 | 67 | — |
| Round-trip impact | 360 | 134 | Two departures from Samoa |
The pass-through mechanism hits budget carriers hardest. Talofa Airways reported immediate fare hikes on inter-Samoa routes (Apia to Pago Pago), where the $67 USD charge represents a significant percentage of base ticket costs. European travelers booking flights to Samoa from Europe through Auckland or Sydney hubs should verify whether connecting itineraries include Samoa departures — even brief transits trigger the full fee.
What transit passengers must know
The regulation makes no exception for short layovers. A passenger transiting Faleolo for 18 hours en route to New Zealand pays the full WST180 on departure, even if they never leave the airport. This applies to all connecting itineraries where Samoa is not the final destination.
European travelers using Samoa as a stopover hub — common on Auckland–Apia–Pago Pago routings — face compounding costs. Entry permits for non-visa-exempt nationals add $20–50 USD, and inter-island flights between Apia and Pago Pago now include the departure tax in base fares. A single transit can add $100+ USD to total trip costs.
The Samoa Airport Authority confirmed no waivers exist except by Cabinet approval, which requires formal application and is typically reserved for government or diplomatic travel. Airlines cannot absorb the charges — Senate testimony from Samoa Airways and Talofa Airways executives confirmed the fees are mandated line items, not negotiable surcharges.
Verify charges before you book
The WST180 fee is now embedded in all Samoa Airways and Talofa Airways fares, but ticket display formats vary by booking platform.
- Check the fare breakdown: Look for “Aerodrome Facility Charge” and “Passenger Facility Charge” as separate line items. If the total taxes/fees section shows an unexplained $67 USD increase compared to pre-March quotes, the new charges are included.
- Confirm transit applicability: If your itinerary includes a Samoa connection under 24 hours, contact the airline directly to verify whether the departure tax applies. Automated booking engines may not flag short transits correctly.
- Compare pre-March bookings: Travelers holding tickets issued before March 1 should request written confirmation that the old WST65 rate applies. If the airline requires a ticket reissue for any reason, the new fee may be triggered.
Watch: IATA has formally opposed the fee increase, citing disproportionate impact on regional connectivity. Any Cabinet reversal or exemption expansion will be announced through the Samoa Airport Authority — monitor their official channels if you have bookings beyond mid-2026.
Does American Samoa impose similar departure taxes?
No. Pago Pago International Airport in American Samoa charges only the standard $4.50 USD US Federal Aviation Administration fee. American Samoa is a US territory, and any additional airport taxes require FAA approval — a process that has not occurred. Independent Samoa’s WST180 departure tax applies only to airports under Samoa Airport Authority jurisdiction (Faleolo, Fagali’i, Maota, Asau).
Are domestic flights within Samoa subject to the same fees?
Yes. The WST180 charge applies uniformly to all departures from Samoan airports, including domestic routes like Fagali’i to Maota. Inter-island flights between Apia and Pago Pago (crossing into American Samoa) are considered international and also incur the full fee. Airlines reported immediate fare hikes on these routes after March 1.
Can airlines absorb part of the departure tax to keep fares competitive?
No. The Samoa Airport Authority mandates automatic inclusion of the WST180 charge in all ticket prices. Senate testimony from Samoa Airways and Talofa Airways executives confirmed the fees are non-negotiable pass-through costs. Airlines cannot waive, discount, or absorb any portion — the regulation requires full collection on every departing passenger aged 12 and older.
Do children under 12 pay any portion of the departure tax?
No. Passengers under 12 years old are fully exempt from both the Aerodrome Facility Charge and the Passenger Facility Charge. The WST180 total applies only to travelers aged 12 and older. Families traveling with young children should verify age-based exemptions are correctly applied in the ticket breakdown.
What happens if I booked my ticket before March 1 but travel after that date?
Tickets issued before March 1, 2026 honor the old WST65 Passenger Facility Charge rate, provided the ticket is not modified or reissued. If you change dates, routing, or passenger details after March 1, the airline may apply the new WST180 rate. Request written confirmation of the applicable fee before authorizing any ticket changes.
