Talofa Airways Expands Fleet with Third Aero Twin Commander 690B

In a significant move to bolster its operations, Talofa Airways, based in Apia Faleolo, Samoa, has welcomed its third aircraft, a nine-seater Aero Twin Commander 690B registered as N2160 (msn 11405). The turboprop, built in 1977, is set to enhance Talofa Airways’ capacity for short-haul flights once it is officially entered into the Samoan aircraft registry.

Based on ADS-B data, the new aircraft made its journey from Merced Regional in California to Apia, traversing through Honolulu and Kiritimati earlier this month. N2160 now joins Talofa Airways’ existing Aero Commanders, namely 5W-JMJ (msn 11411) and 5W-LOR (msn 11485), currently servicing short-distance routes between Samoa and American Samoa. Publicly available information indicates that N2160 has previously been registered in Venezuela, Panama, and the United States, with recent records suggesting a period of storage.

Talofa Airways, established in 2016 by Jeffrey Hunter, an Apia-based businessman who serves as the airline’s chairman and CEO, operates up to eight scheduled roundtrips daily between Apia Faleolo and Pago Pago. Additionally, the airline facilitates two roundtrips per week between Apia Faleolo and Vava’u, as well as Pago Pago and Vava’u. Hunter, who played a role in piloting N2160 to Apia, expressed intentions to resume services between Apia Faleolo and Tongatapu, a route halted due to the impact of Covid-19. Notably, there are no immediate plans to operate from the recently reopened Apia Fagali’i Airport until its runway undergoes extension.

Despite inquiries from ch-aviation, Talofa Airways has yet to provide details regarding its third aircraft. The expansion signals the airline’s commitment to enhancing connectivity in the region, offering new travel options, and resuming services affected by the pandemic. As Talofa Airways continues to grow its fleet, the aviation community eagerly awaits updates on its evolving route network and operational plans.