Lulutai Airlines flights to Ha'apai and other islands, resumed today, under a temporary lifting of a suspension by the Civil Aviation Office today, 23 July.
However, the lifting of the 3-day old suspension is provisional and the compliance will be closely monitored, the Civil Aviation Office noted.
Lulutai Airlines Ltd, confirmed that flights for the Y12 and Twin Otter aircraft will resume from today. The suspension imposed on Saturday has left international travellers stranded in the Ha'apai islands.
The Civil Aviation Office stated this morning that they are "satisfied that the [regulatory] breaches identified have been resolved by Lulutai."
They have not specified the Civil Aviation Rules that were breached by the airline.
"Further non-compliance by Lulutai may lead to the suspension being reinstated without further notice. A final decision on full revocation or reinstatement of the suspension will be communicated in due course," the civil aviation authority stated.
Apologies to all passengers
Lulutai Airlines in a statement today, apologized to its passengers affected by the flight cancellations.
"Lulutai Airlines again apologizes to all affected passengers, and thanks the public for your kind cooperation over the past few days."
Lulutai stated that all flights of the Y12 and Twin Otter will continue from today. The Y12 and Twin Otter aircraft service the Ha'apai islands, 'Eua, and the two Niuas.
Meanwhile, the chartered Air Chathams Saab aircraft operates the Vavaú-Tongatapu flights.
The Civil Aviation Division, under the Ministry of Infrastructure suspended the Lulutai Airline's Part 145 Engineering Licence on Friday, 18 July, and affected the flights from 19 July onwards.
"This was as a result of an audit conducted by Civil Aviation and findings of non-compliance in relation to Lulutai's engineering licence," Lulutai Airlines stated.
