22 Feb 2016

Tonga's Vava'u get all clear for international airport

8:30 am on 22 February 2016

The Tonga government says a new international airport, Lupepau'u on Vava'u, is all set for the first flights by Fiji Link on 2 April.

This follows a request from the subsidiary of Fiji Airways to include Vava'u as a destination.

The Tonga government says arrangements for the flight are accommodated by a 2008 Memorandum of Understanding for Air Services between Tonga and Fiji.

Fiji Link plans to fly in an ATR 72-600 aircraft twice a week.

The acting chief executive for tourism, Palenitina Langa'oi, says it will be a boost for the Vava'u economy.

The tourism ministry says it will ensure services for tourists are up to standard to cater for the increase.