Civil works to resurface and strengthen the runways at Fua’amotu and Lupepau’u International Airports starting this year, are expected to be completed in 2015.

The $31 million pa'anga project is financed by the World Bank through the Tonga Aviation Investment Project under the Pacific Aviation Investment Program.

A contract to mark the start of the civil works was signed by ‘Aisea Taumoepeau, Chair of the Tonga Airports Ltd. Board, and Mike Buckland of MacConnell Dowell Australia today, Tuesday 12 August at the Waterfront in Nuku'alofa.

Viliami Ma’ake the CEO of Tonga Airports Ltd said the major investment would boost economic growth and sector expansion, while increased international flights and new travel routes would encourage tourism and commercial activities for Tonga.

He said the works would focus on resurfacing and strengthening both runways. “We expect it to be completed for Fua’amotu around October next year, and for Lupepau'u in Vava’u earlier, around June 2015,” he said.

Viliami hoped there will be no disruption to flights.

He said there could be inevitable disruption if airlines changed or delayed flight schedules. “We will talk with them to confirm that they keep to their schedules because works would be done at a certain period and we need hours to clear up the runway and equipment for flights to land,” he said.

“We are grateful to the World Bank for their continuous support in the advancement of the aviation sector both locally and regionally. The new runways will make Tonga more accessible and enhance connectivity to the rest of the world.”

Airports in Tuvalu and Kiribati will also receive assistance to upgrade their runways under this Pacific Aviation Investment Program financed by the World Bank.