By Katalina Siasau

Travellers to and from the outer islands are relying heavily on the inter-island ferries MV ‘Otuanga’ofa and MV Taka-i-Pomana this holiday season, to travel between Tongatapu, Vava'u, and Ha'apai, after a disruption to the domestic air services on 8 December, when the  Lulutai Airlines Saab 340 aircraft was damaged while taxing after landing at Fua'amotu Airport.

The 35 seater aircraft has been taken out of service at the busiest time of year, and many people had to cancel their plans to travel to the outer islands.

Matangi Tonga was unable to confirm whether or not the CEO of Lulutai, Poasi Tei is seeking a lease replacement of the Saab 340B.

He was unavailable to give a comment this week.

The Civil Aviation office told Matangi Tonga this morning, the investigation into the Saab incident was still ongoing.

"The investigation is still ongoing, but once we finalize a report, we will release it," they said.

Meanwhile, Lulutai Airline's 19-seater DHC-6 Twin Otter delivered in October 2023, is the only aircraft servicing the Vava'u and Ha'apai routes over the Christmas holidays, while the other two aircraft in its domestic fleet are out of service.