A new cafeteria opened on October 9 in the newly upgraded departure lounge at Tonga's Fua'amotu International Airport.

It is part of the airport upgrade undertaken this year by Tonga Airports Ltd., which has included a major clean-up of the check in and departure halls, the installation of new seating and air-conditioning and renovations of the restrooms.

The Leiola Group is leasing the cafeteria and began offering refreshments and food on Thursday for the departure of the Air New Zealand and Pacific Blue passengers.

The CEO of TAL Nick Thomas said that by improving the facilities they hoped that departing passengers would be encouraged to come to the airport earlier "and avoid the last minute rush when 200 people are all trying to check-in at the same time."

The shops in the departure hall will be upgraded and TAL also has plans to install a couple of internet connections in the cafeteria area for use by passengers.

The services of a separate VIP Lounge have been commercialised and are now extended to passengers for a fee.



The grounds of the Fua'amotu International Airport have also been upgraded with the planting of palms and levelling of trolley walkways.

Nick said they were also improving Fua'amotu's Domestic Airport terminal.