26 May 2004

Tonga gets a new domestic air service

4:51 pm on 26 May 2004

A newly formed Tongan company, known as the Air Waves of Vava'u, says it will use a DC-3 plane for domestic air services after the collapse of Royal Tongan Airlines.

The plane, bought from New Zealand company Pion Air, is due in Tonga on June 5th in time to facilitate travel to the Free Wesleyan Church's Annual Conference on Vava'u.

Radio Tonga says Pion Air will operate the aircraft and provide technical expertise.

It says Crown Prince Tupoutoa is one of the owners of the new service.

This comes as the Government is calling for interested parties to meet next month in Nuku'alofa to look at domestic air service options.