By Katalina Siasau
Lulutai Airlines Ltd had been warned of air safety non-compliances since April, but the issue dated back to the airline's establishment, said the Minister for Public Enterprises today.
The Civil Aviation Office (CAO) under the Ministry of Infrastructure (MOI) suspended the Lulutai Airline's Part 145 Engineering Licence on Friday, 18 July. The suspension halted domestic flights to outer islands from 19 July until it was temporarily lifted on 23 July.
The suspension was due to a "misunderstanding between the Civil Aviation Office and Lulutai regarding the hangar,” the Acting Prime Minister, Dr. Taniela Fusimalohi, told a media briefing today at the St. George Gov’t Building in Nuku’alofa.
The hangar is a large building with extensive floor area for housing aircraft.
“The hangar was not approved by Civil Aviation, and some repair equipment was incorrectly stored in a different hangar rather than (the aircraft's designated one).”
For several days following the sudden suspension of flights on Saturday, dozens of outgoing visitors were stranded in Ha'apai and other small islands and had to reschedule their international flights home.
The Minister for Public Enterprises Hon. Piveni Piukala who was Acting Minister for Aviation also stated the “misunderstandings" led to the CAO's suspension.
He told the media briefing that he felt the CAO's decision to pull the suspension on Friday evening was "wrong" as a final warning was not issued, he said.
The CAO released a public statement on Tuesday morning announcing its suspension. However, there was no prior public warning of this suspension.
The Acting PM noted that it was “Lulutai’s role, not Civil Aviation's, to warn the public.”
Long-standing safety non-compliance
MPE Minister Piukala said he received multiple complaints, including from whale watching companies, businesses, private individuals, and also Ministers. But, "it was better to disrupt normal business schedule with the suspension than an accident."
When asked about the number of warnings Lulutai received, the he responded, "since April," noting that "the issue has been since Lulutai was established."
He higlighted there is a history of non-compliance by the airline.
Shortage of engineers
Minister Piukala also noted one of the main issues with the operation of the airlines is the understaffing of engineers.
He said Lulutai's financial constraints prevented them from hiring a sufficient number of engineers.
Other business
The Cabinet also approved several policies and decisions at their meeting today includes: a National Mental Health Policy and Plan, a Privacy Bill, aimed at protecting individual personal information, and a Fraud Policy for public service, designed to protect public services and resources.
