A report on air travel standards in Tonga has highlighted technical faults in aircrafts and disruptions to travel schedules as some of the problems in the aviation industry.
The Minster for Infrastructure and Civil Aviation, Etuate Lavulavu said there are many complaints from the public and aviation organisations about the safety of people travelling by planes.
“Traveling to and from Vava‘u, Ha‘apai, ‘Eua and the Niuas is a major problem now especially as there are hardly any flights going to the outer islands due to failures and technical problems of the aircrafts causing cancellation of flights so we have a proposal with what to come out of this situation. Not only that but it is also due to Fiji Airways suspension of its cooperation with Real Tonga at the beginning of this month.”
The Minister did not give reasons but said it is clear that there are too many reports of planes not landing properly or crash landing.
The report was prepared by the Ministry and it will be submitted to Cabinet.
Lavulavu clarified the arrangement between Real Tonga and Fiji Airways for the provision of domestic services.
“The partnership was due to a short term assistance of Fiji Airways to Real Tonga during the coronation celebration since there were more people traveling in and out of the country at that time and Tonga needed an extra and a much bigger aircraft for that task, so Fiji Airways came through.”
He said they are trying to finalize something between the two airlines so that services are not disrupted.
He is confident that Cabinet will be able to resolve the matter.