Real Tonga’s new 19-seater Jetstream 32 aircraft leased from Australia began operation last week to the outer islands of Ha’apai and Vava’u.

Tevita Palu the airline's Chief Executive Officer said today the turbo-prop aircraft would improve the speed of the domestic service.

He said the aircraft flies to Ha'apai and will be a back up to compliment the MA60 aircraft currently servicing Vava'u. “The Jetstream gives an option for travellers,” he said.

The aircraft arrived in Tonga two-months ago had recently completed the certification requirements before it began operation.

Tevita said Real Tonga was also leasing the newly gifted Chinese Y-12 aircraft from the Tongan Government. “Four Tongan pilots have recently returned after completing training in China and we expect it to fly next week,” he said.

The airline now has five aircraft, including the MA60, two Y-12 aircraft, one previously leased from Vanuatu and the one from China, the Jetstream and an Islander eight seater.

He said the Y-12 aircraft could service all of the outer islands. “But we have the bigger aircrafts to [put into] service depending on the capacity of travellers.”

“Our operation now is easier in regards to the availability of the equipment and aircraft. The flights will be on time and have more capacity but at the same time the cost is high to maintain a reliable service,” he said.

Tevita said that while the airline also hoped to reduce airfares, “Its hard considering the airline market in Tonga is very limited and to operate a local airline comes at a very high cost.”

Real Tonga has twice daily flights to Ha’apai and Vava’u, once daily to ‘Eua, with once a week to the Niuas. “We hope to increase flights to Niuas to twice a week in the future,” he said.

The Jetstream aicraft was leased from Australia’s International Aircraft Parts (IAP).