Maota Airport – MXS Salelologa, Samoa (MXS-Maota)
The island of Savai'i, Samoa is home to the main domestic airport of the island. Named Maota Airport and with the IATA code MXS, it is situated in the outskirts of Salelologa at the east end of Savai'i. It is only 10 minutes south of Salelologa. The airport started has been operating since the early 1990s but there are currently no scheduled services. In the past, however, the airport had served flights from Faleolo International Airport and Asau Airport via Polynesian Airlines. The Samoa Airport Authority (SAA) managed and operated Maota Airport and had been primarily used for domestic travel as well as certificated and subjected to annual safety audits by the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure.
Best Time to Visit
Before the services were halted, the airport made use of a single, short runway which could handle small passenger aircraft. It also had a modest tarmac that could support a Boeing 737. However, flights only landed and took off in the daytime due to lack of appropriate lighting. A small control tower still stands while the airport terminal used to occupy a simple hut with open sides and thatched roof. The city of Apia is 56 nautical kilometers away from the airport.
What to Do & Area Attractions
With the many attractions in Savai'i and its neighboring areas, there is no lack of accommodations within the area. Most of them are less than 8 kilometers from the defunct airport. You can opt to stay at The Savaiian Hotel, or at the Luisa’s Lagoon Chalet or the cozy Jet Over Hotel.
Faleolo International Airport (APW), located near Samoa’s capital serves as the gateway to the country.
