16th December, 2019 TONGAN Because of the extreme importance of domestic air transport to the social and economic security to Tonga and its outlying islands and to preserve Tonga’s overall territorial integrity, the Tonga Government plans to put the aircraft back into operations and to stabilize the service within the next 6 months.
Safe civil aviation transport service is also the only timely law enforcement, disaster response, medical, and other institutional linkage between the capital Nuku‘alofa and the islands, crucial to their citizens’ lives and livelihoods.
Following this decision By His Majesty’s Cabinet, the Minister for Infrastructure, Honorable ‘Akosita Havili Lavulavu, visited the maker of Tonga’s only MA60 airplane, AVIC XAC Commercial Aircarft Co. Ltd of the People’s Republic China in Xian, to meet and discuss government’s wishes.
The meetings concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between MA60 manufacturer AVIC XAC Commercial Aircraft Co., Lt., and the Ministry of Infrastructure (Tonga), with each party stating their agreed roles in the preparations phase to restore the MA60’s Certificate of Airworthiness (COA).
This includes receiving a technical team of experts from AVIC XAC this month before Christmas, to look at the status of the aircraft and assist with identifying the various works required to restore the aircraft’s airworthiness.
Since early 2018 the aircraft was no longer flown by its operator, REAL Tonga Limited, citing maintenance work was yet to be completed. Further, the aircraft’s COA, had expired in June 2019. The plane was the main domestic civil aviation link between the islands and the main island of Tongatapu.
The purpose of the Honorable Minister’s visit therefore was to seek technical, operational and commercial assistance and support from the aircraft’s manufacturer, in accordance with the Tonga government’s intentions. According to AVIC XAC, in their last visit to Tonga in September 2019, the aircraft appeared to still be in a very good condition. But there is a still required maintenance record to back this position.
The Honorable Minister led the delegation of officials from Tonga, arriving in Xi’an China where the meetings successfully took place from the 18th until the 21st of November 2019 at the headquarters of AVIC XAC in Xi’an. The delegation was also accompanied by Tonga’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Mr. Tau‘aika ‘Uta’atu, President of the Pacific-China Friendship Association, Dr. Hiria Ottino, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Sione Moala Mafi, Civil Aviation Officer, Mr. Peni Taimani, and others. All were warmly received and hosted by AVIC’s Vice President and Chief Executive Officer.
The Ministry of Infrastructure is looking forward to receiving and hosting the AVIC team in the Kingdom of Tonga, to satisfy the decision of Cabinet, and to ensure the quality and safety of air transportation in Tonga.
ENDS
Issued by: MINISTRY OF INFRASTRUCTURE ‘Alaivaha’amama’o Bypass Road. Fanga ‘o Pilolevu. Tonga Tel: +(676) 23100 / 23201 Fax: +(676) 25440 Email: info@infrastructure.gov.to