19 Sep 2005

Samoa confirms hotel involvement in ownership of Polynesian Blue

7:19 am on 19 September 2005

A hotel company in Samoa is backing the government's venture with an Australian airline.

The Samoa government says the local hotel company, Aggie Greys, has bought a two per cent share in Polynesia Blue.

The airline is the union of Polynesian Airlines and the Australian carrier Virgin Blue.

The announcement means Samoa can claim ownership and registration of the airline by becoming majority shareholder with a 51 per cent stake.

Samoa's Opposition leader, Le Mamea Ropati, had been pressing the government to unmask the crucial shareholder.