Tonga Airways

Tonga Airways told Radio Tonga News they have not been informed of the reason for the last minute cancellation by the Ministry regarding their application for the special charter of Fiji Airways to service Vava’u during the last fortnight of 2016.

The cancellation led to the refund of 200 tickets of passengers after claims that the Minister of Infrastructure declined to give the green light to Tonga Airways.

Tonga Airways was set to commence operations on December 19th until December 30th.

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.

RNZ reports the airline had planned to start a twice-weekly service between Vava'u and Tongatapu using a chartered Fiji Airways aircraft from today.

But Tonga Airways' chief executive, Samiu Vaipulu, said the minister for civil aviation has failed to give his approval.

Mr Vaipulu said having invested a lot into developing a second air service for Tonga, he's had to make arrangements to refund about 200 tickets that have been sold for the service.