Story and photos by Linny Folau
Tonga's second domestic airline Chatham Pacific, carrying the Prime Minister and VIPs aboard its 50-seater Convair, made its inaugural flight to Ha'apai and Vava'u on the afternoon of Monday, April 14.
After landing at the Salote Pilolevu Airport on Pangai, Ha'apai, the Chatham crew and guests received a warm welcome from the Ha'apai Tourist Association.
"Today our dream has come true - It opens a new page for the Ha'apai Tourism because the new airline will not only promote our island but Tonga as a whole," said Mr Kepu of the Ha'apai Governor's office in his welcome speech.
PM grateful
The Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele said that since the Royal Tongan Airlines ceased operation, the domestic service had faced many difficulties.
He thanked the Peau Vava'u Airways the domestic airline which ceased operation after the November 16 riots, and also thanked the Airlines Tonga for providing the domestic air service since then.
"The government is very happy to fulfil the needs of the people as Chatham Pacific will begin flying to the two Niuas and 'Eua next month," he said.
The Prime Minister also extended his heartfelt thanks to the owner of Air Chatham, Captain Craig Emeny, for accepting the Government of Tonga's proposal in December last year, to consider coming in and becoming a fully fledged domestic carrier.
"When I was in Ha'apai last December we promised that we would do our best and it was the direction of Cabinet that we sort out the problem of the domestic airline," Dr Sevele said.
Chatham Pacific
Captain Craig Emeny, a pilot, thanked the people of Tonga for giving Chatham Pacific the opportunity to serve here.
"Personally, I love airplanes and the opportunity to fly and this is a fantastic privilege to come Tonga and fly under our own right and we want to make the air services we are providing a success."
He said Air Chatham had been operating for 25 years, and they started in the Chatham Islands with flights to New Zealand and the Pacific.
"Air Chatham belongs to the people of the Chatham Islands and our branch here the Chatham Pacific belongs to the people of Tonga."
The airline has set up a ticketing office at the Air New Zealand Nuku'alofa office. It has two aircraft the Convair 50-seater, and a Metro 18-seater aircraft that is initially flying twice daily to Vava'u and three times weekly to Ha'apai from Monday to Saturday.
Increasing flights
Russell Jenkins the airline's Managing Director said although they are starting off with limited flights to Ha'apai they will increase them to become daily in May when they introduce an additional nine-seater Islander aircraft that will service the Niuas and 'Eua.
"Our aim is to operate a safe, reliable and regular air service and over time we will develop our schedule and increase the frequency of our flights,." he said.
The inaugural flight left Ha'apai for Vava'u on the same afternoon and another welcome reception was held at the Paradise Hotel, Neiafu, Vava'u, for the visiting guests and airline crew.
"The welcome is more than what we expected and it's very humbling so obviously we need to do a good job and provide a regular and stable service to the people of Tonga," said Craig.
Guests on the inaugural flight included the New Zealand High Commissioner Christine Bogle; the Minister of Education Hon. Tevita Palefau; the Minister of Transport Hon Paul Karalus; the Minster of Tourism Hon Fineasi Funaki; and other guests.
