Real Tonga

Real Tonga
IATA ICAO Callsign
RLT REAL TONGA
Founded 2013
Hubs Fuaʻamotu International Airport
Fleet size 2
Destinations 6
Company slogan Our Kingdom Airline
Headquarters Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Key people Tevita Palu (CEO)
Website www.realtonga.to

Real Tonga, stylised as "REALtonga", is an airline that operates domestic flights within Tonga. It commenced operations in March 2013, becoming the 12th airline to operate domestic flights in Tonga since air services began.

History

REALtonga's Xian MA60, Fuaʻamotu International Airport's apron, Tongatapu, Tonga

Real Tonga commenced operations on 4 March 2013,[1] taking over services previously operated by Chathams Pacific, a subsidiary of New Zealand-based airline Air Chathams. 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 Xian MA60, which were then leased to Real Tonga.[2] The use of the MA60 generated controversy in both Tonga and New Zealand due 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 in the number of tourists had a significant impact on the local economy.[3] In June 2014, Real Tonga announced that it had purchased two British Aerospace Jetstream 32 aircraft from Australia.[4]

Safety Record

Attempts have been made to verify that the MA60 flown by Real Tonga is safe.
Pilot Rodger McCutcheon says the MA60 is an excellent aeroplane. Ex Air New Zealand Pilots with over 15000 flight hours have offered to recertify the plane.[5] [6]
The chief executive of Samoa Air says he doesn't believe the MA60 aircraft, gifted to Tonga by China, is a significant safety issue. [7]
However, on March 6 of 2015, the airline decided to ground and return the MA60 turboprop, due to pressure from the New Zealand government. By doing this, the Pacific island nation triggered a release of NZ$10 million in aid to it.[8] A 68-seater ATR 72-600 was leased from Fiji Airways to operate a number of charter flights.[9]

Destinations

Destination IATA ICAO Airport
'EuaEUANFTE'Eua Airport
Ha'apaiHPANFTLSalote Pilolevu Airport
Niuafo'ouNFONFTONiuafoʻou Airport
NiuatoputapuNTTNFTPNiuatoputapu Airport
TongatapuTBUNFTFFuaʻamotu International Airport [Base]
Vava'uVAVNFTVVava'u International Airport

Fleet

The Real Tonga fleet comprises the following aircraft (as of August 2016):[10]

Real Tonga Fleet
Aircraft In
Fleet		 Orders Passengers Notes
Saab 340B Plus 1 —
Xian MA-60 1 —
Total 2

References

  1. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20140714223304/http://pidp.org/archive/2013/January/01-25-04.htm. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2015. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ↑ "Delegation reassures stakeholders of Real Tonga airlines | Pacific Islands". Pacifictradeinvest.com. 2013-02-22. Retrieved 2015-04-18.
  3. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20141006122247/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/2013/10/pacific-update/tourism-operators-suffer-as-ma60-debate-drags-on/. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2015. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ↑ "Tonga dumps MA60 | Radio New Zealand News". Radionz.co.nz. 2014-06-11. Retrieved 2015-04-18.
  5. ↑ "New Zealand pilot says China may wade into NZ-Tonga dispute | Dateline Pacific, 3:03 pm on 15 May 2014 | Radio New Zealand". Radionz.co.nz. 2014-05-15. Retrieved 2015-04-18.
  6. ↑ "NZ pilot says Tongan plane safe, and NZ should approve | Radio New Zealand News". Radionz.co.nz. 2014-05-14. Retrieved 2015-04-18.
  7. ↑ "Tonga validation team member says aircraft not a major safety concern | Radio New Zealand News". Radionz.co.nz. 2013-09-16. Retrieved 2015-04-18.
  8. ↑ Moores, Victoria (2015-03-06). "Real Tonga rejects MA60, secures aid | Airframes content from". ATWOnline.com. Retrieved 2015-04-18.
  9. ↑ Paylor, Anne (16 April 2015). "Real Tonga leases Fiji Airways ATR 72 to plug MA60 capacity gap". Air Transport World. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015.
  10. ↑ "Global Airline Guide 2016 (Part Two)". Airliner World (November 2016): 34.
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