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New era in Samoa and Tonga aviation history

A new era in the history of aviation between Samoa and Tonga is set to start when Real Tonga’s operations out of Faleolo Airport takes off seven days from Sunday.

The Airline is set to use its SAAB 340 plane to transport passengers between the two island nations, as the start of something the management of Real Tonga hopes to expand to other parts of the region.

Real Tonga Airlines Owner and Chief Executive Officer, Tevita Palu, told the Samoa Observer that this is an exciting time for them.

The Airline has already signed a codeshare agreement with Samoa Airways. Codeshare is an aviation business arrangement where two or more airlines share the same flight.

Last year July, test flights from Real Tonga Airlines touched down at Faleolo International Airport and the flight was 1 hour and 20 minutes from Vava’u.

The flight out of Samoa is a step in the fight direction, according to Mr. Latu who told the Samoa Observer the Airline started in 2013.

“I started the airline as a sole and private owner of Real Tonga in 2013 to service Tonga’s domestic air service,” he said.

“Moving to start international and regional air service is quite an achievement for Real Tonga.

“I look forward to working hand in hand with Samoa’s owned airline, Samoa Airways, to develop the air transportation between our two nations and to support tourism growth in the Pacific.”

To start, Real Tonga will operate two flights from Tongatapu via Vavau per week.
“We have three engineers based at Faleolo Airport as support maintenance for Real Tonga.”

“The Airline is currently completing final license requirements in Samoa and will commence operations with two 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 passenger seats and a full meal service.

“It has been over a decade since there was any significant commercial capacity between the two Polynesian nations.”

 “He had always envisaged more than just offering a domestic service for the people of Tonga and he always expected that REALTonga air services would expand internationally and offer our people more choice, more flexibility and better fares than are currently available.

He went on to say, that the airline is in its 5th year of operation and whilst it has been a long process developing the airline’s standards to fit the international arena, he had made it clear to his management team, that he wanted services to Samoa to be available to our people and to the people of Samoa to be able to travel to their respective homes in order to celebrate Christmas.

SOURCE: SAMOA OBSERVER/PACNEWS
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