Real Tonga's 17-seater aircraft arrived at Fua'amotu Domestic Airport from Vanuatu on March 11, after being delayed for a week. The aircraft began operation this afternoon with flights to Vava'u.

Tonga's new domestic airline had initially announced that it had secured the lease of two Y-12 aircrafts to service the outer islands, and would start its new service on March 4.

The airline began operation as scheduled but had to charter an aircraft from Chathams Pacific to carry out its flights last week due to the delay. A second Y-12 aircraft was expected to arrive at the end of the month.

Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Samiu Vaipulu thanked Real Tonga CEO Tevita Palu for his dream, which he said was now a reality for Tonga. He awarded the airline with its Air Operators Certificate to service Tongatapu, Vava'u, Ha'apai, 'Eua and the two Niuas.

"Under Government's Strategic Development Framework one of the objectives is to enable our private sector. We need a private sector that is willing to do the job and I was fortunate to have Real Tonga who had the guts to do the job," he said.

Tevita said they were delighted with the arrival of the aircraft and appreciated the support from Government, the private sector and relatives. "This is no doubt a direction from our heavenly father and I am full of hope of good things ahead," he said.

Captain Graeme Lloyd piloted the aircraft to Tonga, assisted by three Tongan pilots who will continue to fly for the airline.

Real Tonga is a Tongan-owned airline operated by Tevita and his company Palu Aviation Services. A current schedule has weekly flights to 'Eua, Vava'u and Ha'apai, with flights to the two Niuas is expected to start on April 1.

Present at the event was Hon Dr Viliami Latu the Minister for Commerce, Tourism and Labour, Australian High Commissioner HE Mr Brett Aldam, local tourism and business operators with Palu family.