Samoa PM defends Samoa Airways financial performance, noting infancy of operations

Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi defended Samoa Airways, stating it is not realistic for the new carrier to be profitable in the initial months since launch (Samoa Observer, 13-Mar-2018). "In the real world, a loss made in the first two months may be offset in months three; four and five", Mr Tuilaepa said, adding: "It can be a loss again in months six, seven and eight and that can be money earned in nine, ten, eleven and twelve, which will offset the negative results in the earlier months of a business. What goes in the airline business is true in any kind of business, the Samoa Observer, Time Magazine or in Playboy. And it is not uncommon that a loss made in some months may be offset in later months". Mr Tuilaepa added: "An ordinary person who does not understand the technicality surrounding businesses can easily make a stupid mistake on the basis of an equally stupid report that the company is broke and therefore it should wind up".