By Katalina Siasau

The Tonga Government will keep running the Lulutai Airlines, until someone can buy them out and take over the operation of the domestic airline, the Prime Minister said on Friday.

The PM, Hon. Hu'akavameiliku, made the comments following the King's speech on the closing of the 2023-24 session of Parliament on 2 May, when the King questioned the Government's secrecy in managing the airline, instead of recruiting experts in civil aviation to do so.

The PM told a media briefing that the Government will keep running the domestic airlines unless someone can buy them out, and can operate the airline.

When asked by journalists about the King's question on why the Government is secretly managing the airline, the PM responded that the payment for Lulutai’s aircraft had been submitted to Parliament, and the purchasing of the aircraft is on the House’s public records.

He said the damaged Saab 340 awaited its final reports, and recommendation from investigators.

“If Lulutai withdraws, would there be any airline services for the outer islands? Is there anyone who can buy out the government and can operate the airline privately?” he asked.

This was not the first time this question had been asked, he said. “We’ve talked about it before.”

Partnership

The Prime Minister noted that Government would be happy to work with interested partners.

"Such as, seeing if there's a chance of working together with Fiji Airways or Air New Zealand. We're happy to talk if someone is interested to work together, in partnership or shareholdings with the company moving forward."

"But for now, there's no running away when there are problems. I've said it before in Parliament, that once the Government sees it to be stable, it will pull back."

The PM referred to the Lulutai Airlines shareholding partnership with the Retirement Fund Board saying, "Once we're more comfortable with good services being provided to all the islands, the Government will pull back."