Tonga services

Its chief executive Tevita Palu told the Samoa Observer that they chose Samoa as their first international destination because of the love for the country.

The airline has been servicing Tonga domestically since its inception five years ago.

Polynesian Airlines, now Samoa Airways, used to fly between Apia and Tongatapu in the 1980s and 1990s.

Mr Palu said there hasn't been a direct service from Tonga to Samoa for almost ten years and the only way to get to Samoa was to go via Auckland or Nadi.

Matangi Tonga reports the 312 seat aircraft will fly the Nuku'alofa-Auckland route increasing seat capacity by 33 percent as well as cargo uplift close to 40 percent.

Previously the route had been serviced by the Boeing 767-300.