Vava‘u “crippled” by withdrawal of main aircraft, say tourism operators [1]
Saturday, January 21, 2023 - 17:13
Tourism operators in Tonga's top destination, say Vava'u is once again being crippled by a lack of air services.
The Tonga government-owned Lulutai Airlines withdrew the services of its main SAAB340 aircraft from 17 January 2023, and there's no indication of when a replacement might come into service for the Vava'u and Ha'apai groups.
Kirsty Bowe, the Acting President of the Vava’u Tourism Association, on Tuesday stated that: “Vava‘u is being crippled by this poorly managed, unprofessional airline.”
Lulutai Airlines has one other aircraft, a 12-seater Y12, that is continuing to operate but the airline said in a radio message on January 19 that, “although our other aircraft, the Y12 is still working we kindly ask for your understanding and cooperation as we prioritise passengers travelling for medical reasons.”
“We ask all Vava‘u and Ha‘apai passengers, booked to fly on the SABB340 to contact the nearest Lulutai Office to arrange a refund for your tickets or travel on another date,”
The Y12 was a gift to Tonga from the People’s Republic of China.
The government domestic airline service Lulutai Airlines has got into a difficult situation. In the January 19 public notice the airline stated:
“We regret to inform the public that our Saab aircraft must undertake urgent maintenance work, and will therefore be unable to conduct flights beginning Tuesday 17 January, 2023. We cannot at this stage estimate how long the maintenance work will take, but we will provide further public notices as more information comes to hand.
“We are also trying to charter an aircraft from overseas to assist.”
“We ask all Vava'u and Ha'apai passengers booked to fly on the Saab to contact the nearest Lulutai Office to arrange a refund for your tickets, or for travel at another date.
Tonga Expats and Locals
Meanwhile, locals expressed their frustration in a Facebook group called "Tonga Expats and Locals"
Tourism operator Julie Goss said she was told on the phone by the Nuku'alofa agent that “they said all flights cancelled through to the end of February”.
Another, Nikki Griffin, said her business is crippled again “current guests stuck,” although later added that the airline had been in contact and was trying to get her guests out.
Kirsty Bowe said:. “Thought Covid times were crippling enough and now all desperately wanted to operate and contribute to the economy and are unable to.”
Other contributors pointed out: “the same song since 20+ years...”
However, the airlines statement was welcomed by the Tonga Expats and Locals FB page :