RNZ reports Viliami Ma'ake said an Air New Zealand and a Virgin Airlines flight had to be diverted to Nadi and Apia respectively because the runway lights at Tongatapu's Fua'amotu airport were not working.
Mr Ma'ake said an inspection found a faulty cable which was repaired in time for operations this morning.
He said Tonga Airports would be carrying out extra inspections and work over the next few days.
"To interleave the circuits. Currently we have one circuit, so if there is any fault in that circuit it takes off all the lights."
