Tonga's MA60 aircraft remains in operation and continues to fly domestically to Vava’u weekly, since the controversial aircraft gifted by China resumed flights last year. 

When the aircraft was first gifted to Tonga by the government of China, it attracted travel warnings from New Zealand, over safety issues.

Real Tonga CEO Tevita Palu said that the aircraft had resumed flying since last year.

He said there are no plans at this stage for the aircraft to fly regionally.

In the meantime, there have been other talks on the possibility of having direct flights from China to Tonga.

But nothing has been confirmed at this stage from Government.

Visa exemption 

Since June 2016, China and Tonga signed a Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement for ordinary passport holders.

This meant that citizens from Tonga and China will be exempted from visa requirements for entry into, from or transit through the territories of the other for a period of stay not exceeding 30 days.

If citizens stay longer than the 30 days to study, work or reside, approval must be sought in advance.

The agreement took effect last year, confirmed the Tonga's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.