The Tonga Government has today handed back bookings to airlines and travel agents "Starting tomorrow, services will be provided commercially by airlines and travel agents." said MEIDECC CEO, Paula Ma’u. Tonga is moving toward an incremental border re-opening, with zero MIQ for incoming passengers starting in August.

Paula said this week’s flights were the last to be approved by the Repatriation Committee and the National Emergency Management Committee (NEMC). 

About 400 repatriates arrived in Tonga this week from New Zealand, Fiji and Australia.

"Starting tomorrow, services will be provided commercially by airlines and travel agents."

In addition, zero MIQ will start in August with two flights from New Zealand and Fiji and one flight from Australia per week, he said

Ma’u said that Air New Zealand will start commercial flights in September with three flights per week.

Tonga’s border is planned to further open in October with six weekly Air New Zealand flights from Auckland.

Last weel's repatriation 

Meawnhile, 235 passengers arrived last week from New Zealand and Australia.

They underwent Covid-19 tests while in MIQ for three-days.

Only three repatriates tested positive for Covid-19, which was very satisfactory to the NEMC and the Ministry of Health. The positive cases were at Taliai Camp, said Paula.