Samoa may sell airline

Samoa is considering privatising its international carrier Polynesian Airlines amid operating losses this year and uncertainty over when the downturn in the airline industry will end.

Finance Minister Misa Telefoni said in his Budget statement that privatisation of the airline was a possibility.

"Operating losses have led the Government to reconsider its continuing involvement in such a high-risk enterprise, given the continuing exposure of the Government to the vagaries of the aviation industry," he said.