The owner of Real Tonga Airlines says direct flights between Tonga and Samoa are due to begin next week.
Photo: 123RF
Tevita Palu said the first flight will be on 12 February from Tongatapu to Apia's Faleolo Airport via Tonga's northern island group of Vava'u.
He said currently travellers have to transit via Fiji or Auckland which usually involves the cost of an overnight stay and can take over a day and a half.
He said the direct flights, which are scheduled for twice a week on Mondays and Fridays, will be a huge saving.
"With the new service it's one hour twenty minutes flight time to Samoa so you can see how you know the difference in the travel time. This is going to do a lot of good for the travelling public between the two nations."
Tevita Palu said Real Tonga Airlines will use its SAAB 340 which seats thirty passengers and the flights' timing will improve connections with Pagopago and Honolulu.
