381:
177:
The use of the MA60 generated controversy in both Tonga and New
Zealand due to the type's safety record, and the New Zealand government issued a travel advisory, warning against air travel in Tonga. As a result of this, tourist numbers dropped, particularly on the outer islands, where the reduction
216:
Attempts were made to verify that the MA60 flown by Real Tonga was safe. Pilot Rodger McCutcheon said the MA60 is an excellent airplane. Ex-Air New
Zealand pilots with over 15000 flight hours offered to re-certify the plane. The chief executive of
27:
188:
On May 12 2020 Real Tonga was not operating after the MA60 lease was terminated, the Y-12 lease expired and the Saab 340 was out of service after a birdstrike incident. This occurred amid issues related to the
200:. It was reported that the airline had been running at a loss for seven years since its inception in 2013. This would make the Real Tonga the fifth Tongan domestic operator to cease operations since
158:. It commenced operations in March 2013, becoming the twelfth airline to operate domestic flights in Tonga since air services began there. In 2020 the airline ceased all operations.
529:
654:
740:
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170:. The airline was started up with funding from the owner Tevita Palu, as well as the gifting of several aircraft from China to the Tongan government, including a
166:
Real Tonga commenced operations on 4 March 2013, taking over services previously operated by
Chathams Pacific, a subsidiary of New Zealand-based airline
793:
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Two weeks later, on May 27, the Tongan government announced they were cutting support for Real Tonga in favour of a new airline to be called
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655:"New Zealand pilot says China may wade into NZ-Tonga dispute | Dateline Pacific, 3:03 pm on 15 May 2014 | Radio New Zealand"
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However, on March 6 of 2015, the airline decided to ground and return the MA60 turboprop, due to pressure from the
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154:, stylised as "REALtonga", was an airline that operated domestic flights within the Pacific island-country of
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added that he didn't believe the MA60 aircraft, gifted to Tonga by China, is a significant safety issue.
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697:"Tonga validation team member says aircraft not a major safety concern | Radio New Zealand News"
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676:"NZ pilot says Tongan plane safe, and NZ should approve | Radio New Zealand News"
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509:"Delegation reassures stakeholders of Real Tonga airlines | Pacific Islands"
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The Real Tonga fleet comprised the following aircraft (as of August 2016):
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in the number of tourists had a significant impact on the local economy.
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nation triggered a release of NZ$ 10 million in aid to it. A 68-seater
719:"Real Tonga rejects MA60, secures aid | Airframes content from"
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741:"Real Tonga leases Fiji Airways ATR 72 to plug MA60 capacity gap"
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In June 2014, Real Tonga announced that it had purchased two
605:"Questions emerge over future of Tonga's domestic airline"
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113:
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530:"Tourism operators suffer as MA60 debate drags on"
483:"Tonga Businesses Worried Over Local Air Services"
630:""Lulutai" name of Tonga's new domestic airline"
577:"Lack of Govt support adds to Real Tonga's woes"
556:"Tonga dumps MA60 | Radio New Zealand News"
193:, including the laying off of staff and pilots.
8:
19:
248:
18:
762:"Global Airline Guide 2016 (Part Two)".
397:
241:to operate a number of charter flights.
174:, which were then leased to Real Tonga.
474:
7:
599:
597:
511:. Pacifictradeinvest.com. 2013-02-22
14:
206:List of defunct airlines of Tonga
25:
794:Airlines disestablished in 2020
717:Moores, Victoria (2015-03-06).
404:
390:Fuaʻamotu International Airport
350:Fuaʻamotu International Airport
229:government. By doing this, the
92:Fuaʻamotu International Airport
799:2013 establishments in Oceania
739:Paylor, Anne (16 April 2015).
204:collapsed in 2004. (See also:
183:British Aerospace Jetstream 32
1:
789:Airlines established in 2013
435:
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368:Vava'u International Airport
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699:. Radionz.co.nz. 2013-09-16
678:. Radionz.co.nz. 2014-05-14
657:. Radionz.co.nz. 2014-05-15
558:. Radionz.co.nz. 2014-06-11
815:
784:Defunct airlines of Tonga
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185:aircraft from Australia.
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37:
33:
24:
296:Salote Pilolevu Airport
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463:Royal Tongan Airlines
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202:Royal Tongan Airlines
766:(November 2016): 34.
332:Niuatoputapu Airport
745:Air Transport World
402:
21:
536:on October 6, 2014
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751:on 18 April 2015.
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314:Niuafoʻou Airport
191:COVID-19 pandemic
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78:Ceased operations
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747:. Archived from
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489:on July 14, 2014
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400:Real Tonga fleet
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237:was leased from
198:Lulutai Airlines
144:www.realtonga.to
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16:Tongan airline
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212:Safety record
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131:Tevita Palu (
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749:the original
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723:. Retrieved
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659:. Retrieved
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638:. Retrieved
636:. 2020-05-27
634:Matangitonga
633:
624:
613:. Retrieved
611:. 2020-05-07
608:
585:. Retrieved
583:. 2020-05-12
581:Matangitonga
580:
571:
560:. Retrieved
550:
538:. Retrieved
534:the original
524:
513:. Retrieved
503:
491:. Retrieved
487:the original
477:
399:
394:
384:REALtonga's
321:Niuatoputapu
278:'Eua Airport
252:Destination
245:Destinations
239:Fiji Airways
224:
215:
195:
187:
180:
176:
168:Air Chathams
165:
151:
150:
114:Headquarters
106:Destinations
417:Passengers
227:New Zealand
61:REAL TONGA
778:Categories
725:2015-04-18
703:2015-04-18
682:2015-04-18
661:2015-04-18
640:2020-05-28
615:2020-05-28
587:2020-05-28
562:2015-04-18
515:2015-04-18
469:References
235:ATR 72-600
152:Real Tonga
128:Key people
118:Nuku'alofa
98:Fleet size
20:Real Tonga
540:April 18,
493:April 18,
406:Aircraft
386:Xian MA60
339:Tongatapu
303:Niuafo'ou
219:Samoa Air
172:Xian MA60
457:See also
261:Airport
49:Callsign
414:Orders
285:Ha'apai
162:History
140:Website
70:Founded
443:Total
420:Notes
411:fleet
357:Vava'u
376:Fleet
258:ICAO
255:IATA
156:Tonga
122:Tonga
542:2015
495:2015
364:NFTV
346:NFTF
328:NFTP
310:NFTO
292:NFTL
274:NFTE
267:'Eua
87:Hubs
81:2020
73:2013
58:RLT
44:ICAO
39:IATA
609:RNZ
436:32
388:at
361:VAV
343:TBU
325:NTT
307:NFO
289:HPA
271:EUA
208:).
133:CEO
55:R4
780::
743:.
632:.
607:.
596:^
579:.
446:1
433:—
430:1
409:In
120:,
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135:)
109:6
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
