Real Tonga Airlines

The airline's owner Tevita Palu said it will fly its SAAB 340 which seats thirty passengers from Tongatapu to Faleolo Airport outside Apia, via Vavau, in Tonga's northern island group.

Real Tonga Airlines has signed a codeshare agreement with Samoa Airways so the two airlines can share the same flight.

Tevita Palu said he was looking forward to working hand in hand with Samoa Airways, to develop direct air transportation between the two nations and to support tourism growth in the region.

The Airline is currently completing final license requirements in Samoa and will commence operations with two (2) flights per week. 

All flights are to be operated from Fua’amotu Domestic Airport to Faleolo International Airport in Samoa, via Salote Lupepau’u International Airport, Vava’u 

REAL Tonga will be utilising the SAAB 340 for our regional flights, which will be offering up to thirty (30) passenger seats and a full meal service. 

Real Tonga Airlines plans to use one of its 34-seater planes from the northern island of Vava'u - which is closer to Samoa than Tonga's main islands.

RNZ reports while in Samoa, Real Tonga's general manager commercial, Tele Faletau, met with representatives of Polynesian Airlines about a possible codeshare.

Mr Faletau said a link between Samoa and Tonga has been needed for a long time.

This was announced by the airlines Chief Executive Officer, Tevita Palu to guests and the media about developments with Real Tonga Airlines in Nuku’alofa this week.

The airline’s MA60 aircraft will recommence services to Vava’u after being grounded for over 18 months.

The MA60 is a 56-seater aircraft and was a gift from the Chinese Government to the Tongan government, and Real Tonga Airlines has leased it for four years.

A press release said in February 2015, the government grounded the operation of the aircraft and took it back from Real Tonga.