Tonga’s recent certification of the MA60 aircraft for its domestic air service did not involve the Pacific Aviation Safety Office or New Zealand Authorities, according to New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Hon. Murray McCully today.

“We are aware that the Tonga Civil Aviation Division has issued an Air Operator Certificate for the MA60.

“My understanding is that the process which led to the recent certification of the MA60 did not involve the Pacific Aviation Safety Office or New Zealand Authorities,” Mr McCully said in a press statement

“I have continued to reinforce with representatives of the Tongan Government, the New Zealand Government’s commitment to aviation safety standards and our readiness to assist in this regard. However, we also accept that Tonga is a sovereign nation and entitled to make its own decisions in such matters,” he said.

His statement follows an announcement by Tonga’s domestic carrier Real Tonga Airline CEO that they had signed a four-year contract with the Tongan government to operate the 56-seater MA60 aircraft and that the Civil Aviation Division of the Ministry of Infrastructure had also issued an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) for the MA60.

The MA60 aircraft, which has been grounded since February 2015 is expected to resume its domestic air service this week.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affair’s website SafeTravel [2] continues to advise travellers to be wary when travelling in Tonga. “The New Zealand Government has expressed well-publicised concerns about aspects of domestic aviation safety in Tonga. Domestic aviation safety standards can vary and should be closely monitored. Domestic aviation services in Tonga can change at short notice and travellers should keep this in mind when making their travel arrangements.  Maritime safety, particularly of older vessels, is a concern in Tonga…” the website advises.

Related article: Tonga govt issues air operator certificate for grounded MA60 [3]