A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by a Tongan delegation led by the new Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. ‘Akosita Lavulavu and  a Chinese aircraft manufacturer to enable the MA60 aircraft that has been grounded in Tonga since 2018, to come back into operation on Tonga's domestic routes within the next six months.

Hon. ‘Akosita Lavulavu and her delegation to China, which included the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Tourism, Sione Moala Mafi; a Civil Aviation Officer, Mr Peni Taimani; Tonga’s Ambassador to China, HE Hon. Tau’aika ‘Uta‘atu; and the President of the Pacific-China Friendship Association, Dr Hitia Ottino.

The purpose of the Hon. Minister’s visit to China, according to the Ministry of Infrastructure, was to seek technical, operational and commercial assistance, and support from the manufacturer of the MA60 aircraft, the AVIC XAC Commercial Aircraft Co. Ltd.

The MA60 aircraft was a USD$15 million gift from the People’s Republic of China to the Tongan Government in July 2013.

Tonga’s only domestic airline, Real Tonga Airline in 2015 signed a four-year contract with the Tongan government to operate the 56-seater MA60 aircraft for four years.

However, the MA60 has not been in operation since 2018 and the MA60’s Certificate of Airworthiness issued by the Civil Aviation Division of the Ministry of Infrastructure expired in June 2019.

The Ministry of Infrastructure was looking forward to receiving and hosting a AVIC XAC Commercial Aircraft Co Ltd. team in Tonga “to satisfy the decision of Cabinet, and to ensure the quality and safety of air transportation in Tonga”.