Two new aircraft critical for Tonga's recovery [1]
Wednesday, June 11, 2014 - 22:35
The first of two Jetstream J32 aircraft acquired by Real Tonga is expected to arrive in Tongatapu next week, according to the General Manager of Tourism Tonga, Stuart Perry, who said today that the strengthening of the inter-island domestic air service is critically important for the whole economy.
“These two new aircraft that Real Tonga have purchased are additional to the fleet,” he said.
“It's great news for Tonga, particularly for the outer islands of Vava'u because they have been really struggling with the drop of business since the MA60 was introduced and since the New Zealand travel advisory was introduced last year,” Stuart said.
The 19-seater aircraft arrive after a year in which Tonga has recorded a 20 per cent drop in tourist air arrivals during its peak period.
Stuart said it was a commercial decision by Real Tonga to bring in the two smaller aircraft “providing the extra capacity and it makes the airline more viable.”
“It shows a commitment of the domestic airline to invest millions of dollars in new aircraft. We know it is an essential part of the tourism infrastructure to have good efficient services between the islands, because while Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia fly into Tongatapu visitors need to get to these other islands, particularly Vava'u, which is often seen as a jewel in the crown.”
Devastating impact
Stuart said that anybody who goes up to Vava'u will know the devastating effect the New Zealand travel advisory has had on the economy.
“It’s quite distressing to see some of the businesses that have closed and people who are suffering.
“If these businesses close down because the travel advisory impacts and reduces the number of visitors it is going to have a devastating effect not just on business operations but on the whole economy and the whole community so I think it is critically important that this service is introduced and strengthened, which the Jetstream J32s will do.”
Stuart said the business loss was sad and it was a major challenge for the people of Vava'u to rebuild tourism. “The most resilient are still there and those who have huge investments are still there ...and they plan to grow their businesses once the visitor numbers start improving.”
The Tonga Tourism Authority marketing was currently supported by the Tonga Government after New Zealand aid funding for marketing stalled last year because of the travel advisory.
However, Stuart said he was convinced that the MA60 issue would be resolved.
“Everybody knows it has to be resolved and if it does have to go through certification that is not a problem because the World Bank has offered to fund that process. When that is done I'm sure the New Zealand Government will honour their commitment and provide the funding that we need to do the marketing to bring New Zealanders into Tonga,” he said.
Decline
Meanwhile, after a year of falling air arrivals and a significant loss of business investment in Vava'u the Tonga government budget statement currently before the House has recognised the need to restore confidence to the industry. It noted that following the withdrawal of Chatham Airlines in early March 2013, the gifting of the MA60 from China and the stall in the New Zealand aid funds that were aimed at developing tourism in Tonga, that the tourism sector declined in the year 2013/14 “mainly associated with a decline in the number of tourist air arrivals.”
In 2013 during the period from July to December air visitors declined by 20 percent compared to a corresponding peak period in the previous year. The budget statement predicted that for the end of the financial year 2013/14 “tourist air arrivals may end falling.”
During the previous year 2012/13 the tourism sector had experienced growth with improving air arrivals and increased tourism receipts.