Faleolo International Airport is Samoa’s principal international airport and the main gateway to Upolu Island and Apia. It is located approximately 40 km west of Apia and is operated by the Samoa Airport Authority (SAA). The airport operates 24 hours, with many jet movements occurring at night or during the early morning.
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport name | Faleolo International Airport |
| Native name | Malae Va‘alele i Faleolo |
| IATA code | APW |
| ICAO code | NSFA |
| Airport type | Public / International |
| Serves | Apia and Upolu Island, Samoa |
| Location | Faleolo, Upolu, Samoa |
| Distance from Apia | Approximately 40 km west |
| Elevation | Approximately 18 m / 58 ft |
| Runway | 08/26 |
| Runway length | Approximately 3,000 m |
| Runway surface | Asphalt |
| Airport operator | Samoa Airport Authority |
| Airport status | Samoa’s primary international gateway |
| Operating hours | 24 hours |
| Official website | Samoa Airport Authority — Official Website |
| Wikipedia | Faleolo International Airport — Wikipedia |
| Purpose | Contact |
|---|---|
| Samoa Airport Authority / Airport call centre | +685 23201 |
| Samoa Airport Authority contact | +685 23201 |
| Airport email listed by SAA | enquiries-hr@saa.ws |
| Samoa Tourism visitor desk at Faleolo | +685 42099 |
| Faleolo VIP Terminal | +685 7100186 |
| Faleolo Air Traffic Control | +685 42530 |
| Airport emergency — Police/Fire/Ambulance | 911 |
| International/mobile format for emergency services | +685 911 |
| Emergency | Number | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Police | 911 | Crime, security threat, serious incident |
| Fire & Rescue | 911 | Fire, major rescue incident |
| Ambulance / Medical emergency | 911 | Serious illness or injury |
| General emergency | 911 | Any immediate life-threatening emergency |
| Faleolo ATC | +685 42530 | Aviation/air-traffic operational matters rather than ordinary passenger emergencies |
| Specification | Information |
|---|---|
| Runway designation | 08/26 |
| Length | Approximately 3,000 m / 9,843 ft |
| Width | Approximately 45 m / 148 ft |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Airport elevation | About 58 ft / 18 m |
| IATA | APW |
| ICAO | NSFA |
The IATA code is APW and the ICAO code is NSFA.
Faleolo International Airport is on Upolu Island, Samoa, approximately 40 km west of Apia.
The airport is approximately 40 kilometres west of Apia. Actual road travel time can vary depending on traffic and road conditions.
Yes. The Samoa Airport Authority states that Faleolo Airport operates on a 24-hour basis, although individual airline, retail and passenger-service hours can differ.
The Samoa Airport Authority’s current call-centre number is +685 23201.
For an immediate police, fire or ambulance emergency in Samoa, dial 911. From a mobile phone, +685 911 may be used.
Yes. A dedicated Regional Terminal opened in October 2024, serving regional Pacific and domestic inter-island services.
Yes. Faleolo has a dedicated VIP Terminal offering private check-in and immigration, lounge facilities, catering, Wi-Fi and business facilities.
The Samoa Airport Authority lists +685 7100186 for VIP Terminal enquiries/bookings.
Yes. The Samoa Tourism Authority lists a visitor information desk at Faleolo International Airport at +685 42099.
Wi-Fi/business connectivity is specifically listed as a feature of the VIP Terminal. General airport connectivity and SIM/internet services are also listed by Samoa Airport Authority, but travellers should confirm current availability for the public terminal.
Yes. Car rental is listed among the airport’s passenger services.
Yes. Bank and currency-exchange services are listed among the airport facilities.
Faleolo has one main runway designated 08/26, approximately 3,000 metres long and 45 metres wide with an asphalt surface.
It primarily serves Apia, Samoa’s capital, as well as the wider population and tourism economy of Upolu Island.