Results for Real Tonga

Tonga's domestic MA60 aircraft operations have been suspended from February 8 and the aircraft has been returned to the government, Real Tonga announced today, citing new legislation that took effect on Sunday.

All domestic flights except those to ‘Eua were cancelled today, while an Air New Zealand flight that left Auckland for Tonga this morning was diverted back to Auckland, due to the continuing volcanic eruption in Hunga, Ha‘apai to the north west of Nuku'alofa.

After a brakes failure on Real Tonga's 12-Harbin Y12 aircraft caused the aircraft to veer on the runway and disrupted flights to 'Eua on Friday January 2, the airline today apologized to passengers affected by the disruption, including the world champion athlete Valerie Adams and her partner.

A decision by Tonga's Civil Aviation Authority to certify a Y12 aircraft without addressing demands by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to upgrade its aircraft certification system has thrown Tonga's domestic air service into a state of uncertainty.

Tonga's domestic airline, Real Tonga, has leased a Convair aircraft from Air Chatham, to provide additional capacity for the services to Vava‘u during a current period of high demand for seats.

“Courageous” is how a surviving passenger, Naita Fe‘ao, praised the pilot who belly-landed their flight at ‘Eua airport this morning.

Tonga is a beautiful country and we would love to come back one day- if there is a better and improved airline system. We had two fantastic weeks in Tongatapu and Ha'apai but the last two days have been a nightmare - what upset us the most was the fact that no one seemed to care - the airline has to know that it cannot go on like that! - Simone Eisenbarth

Tonga’s MA60 aircraft made three inaugural commercial flights to Vava‘u on Saturday, August 10, and the aircraft gifted from China is scheduled to fly twice-daily to Vava'u.

Tonga's domestic airline, Real Tonga, have added two small aircraft to service Tonga's most isolated islands, as well as 'Eua and other national routes starting on April 22.