Domestic services

Australia supports Tonga’s domestic connectivity with Lulutai

Australia will provide financial assurances for Lulutai to partner with Fiji Airways to operate up to seven flights a week between Vava’u and Tongatapu during the month of February.

The Australian Government plans to continue these arrangements for this critical connectivity until

at least 30 June 2023, while Lulutai’s fleet undergoes maintenance.

Last week Australia and Tonga worked quickly on a similar arrangement which enabled the restoration of flights between Tongatapu and Vava’u on 30 January.

Fly Niu expected to begin Tonga’s domestic services by end of year

Finau told Kaniva News the government is expecting him to submit his airline license application as soon as he can.

Fīnau, who met with the Deputy Prime Minister in Tonga last week, said the airline would need three months to prepare for operations.

The CEO said he had been told Lord Tu’ivikano’s government removed the kingdom’s one airline policy.

Last month Kaniva News reported that Fly Niu and Tonga Airways were interested in providing a second airline to service ‘Eua, Ha’apai, Vava’u and the Niuas

Real Tonga airline says no room for second airline

Tevita Palu's comments came after Tonga Airways was refused an operating license and its passengers had to fly on Real Tonga's aircraft.

Mr Palu said they carried about 200 passengers who had bought tickets from Tonga Airways this week.

Tonga Airways is a partly Tongan, partly foreign owned venture and was aiming to provide a second air service for Tonga and said it would bring cheaper airfares than the existing operator, Real Tonga.

Tonga Airways still intent on getting service off the ground

RNZ reports its board chairperson, former cabinet minister Samiu Vaipulu, said it was disappointing that the Aviation Minister Semisi Sika chose not to grant approval for Tonga Airways to start its domestic service using chartered Fiji Airways aircraft.

But he said they intended to continue pressing for the approval to launch the service.