Samoa's prime minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi has confirmed his country has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Fiji's national airline as it prepares to resume flights between Samoa, New Zealand and Australia.

Tuilaepa didn't give any details about the MOU in parliament but said airfares between Samoa and New Zealand and Australia were too high and the two airlines currently serving the routes were controlling airfares through partnerships.

Photo: RNZI Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

He said a commission that studied airline options recommended that Polynesian airlines go into a joint venture with another airline to provide flights from Samoa to the two destinations, at an affordable price.

The Prime Minister said Samoa has now signed an MOU with Fiji airways where the national airline will work with Fiji Airways to provide flight services and not compete on routes.

Tuilaepa said Polynesian's name will be changed to Samoa Airways.

He said the country's airline should bear the name of Samoa so that people know the airline belongs to Samoa.

He said the reason why Polynesian was used before was because the airline was intended to fly to different Polynesian islands at a time when there were few airlines flying .