Domestic air services suspended [1]
Monday, May 31, 2010 - 22:45. Updated on Sunday, December 15, 2013 - 17:22.
INTER-ISLAND air services by Tonga's sole domestic airline Chathams Pacific remain suspended, awaiting the completion of investigation into its 8-seater Queen aircraft emergency landing at Fua'amotu Airport on May 26.
The investigation conducted by the Pacific Aviation Safety Office was expected have a report with recommendations for the Minister of Transport who would then decide the fate of the airline.
If the airline is suspended indefinitely, Tonga would be left without a domestic carrier.
Although Tonga's Civil Aviation has a Two-Airline Policy, it has not offered the second spot to any other operator, but has received expressions of interest in the past.
Deputy Secretary of Transport, Sione 'Akau'ola, said on May 31, Chathams Pacific remained suspended for the time being until the completion of the investigation by PASO. The PASO report for the Minister of Transport would consist of recommendations
"The decision on whether the airline should continue or not is that of our Minister," he said.
Sione added that inspectors arrived on Saturday, May 29 and had been carrying out their work.
Safety record
Meanwhile, General Manager, Noel Gillespie, said in a Press Release on May 29 that Chathams Pacific stands by its safety record and was confident that a way forward will be found to enable services to resume.
On May 31 representatives of the Civil Aviation Department, Chathams Pacific and PASO, the aviation advisor to Tonga, met to advise and assist Civil Aviation with its decision-making.