Tonga's sole domestic carrier, Real Tonga Airline held its inaugural flight to Apia, Samoa, todayJune 29.

The twice-weekly international service flying via Vava’u is operated by a 34-seater SAAB 340 aircraft leased from Australia.

Deputy CEO and Commercial Manager Fakatele Faletau who launched the international service at the VIP lounge in Fua’amotu International Airport said this is a milestone for the airline.

“Real Tonga is a dream that our CEO and owner Tevita Palu had many years ago. It was a dream to provide an air service for the people of Tonga initially domestically and then spread our wings from there.” he said.

The airfare is understood to be around $800 plus pa’anga per person return Tongatapu-Vava’u-Apia , and less for passengers flying direct from Vava’u.

The inaugural flight included the airline’s business partners, airline staff and other paid customers who had already booked.

The flight takes one hour to Vava’u and another hour and 15 minutes to Apia.