A news editor in Tonga says it's unlikely a new ferry service to the outer islands will be operational in time for the Christmas holidays.
The service is to replace the Princess Ashika which sank in August, killing 74 people.
The government has been working with NZAID to get tenders for an interim ferry service to be operational until a permanent boat, which is being built with Japanese aid money, is ready.
The editor of Matangi Tonga, Pesi Fonua, says an announcement would need to have been made by now if it was to go ahead in time for the holidays.
He says the absence of the service will have a huge impact on people's end-of-year travel plans.
"They didnt rely on their domestic air services because that's kind of very expensive, not everybody can afford that. So its definitely going to have a big impact with people going home for Christmas, kids going back home after school and also there's transportation for root crops and produce for the market, and you know, for families for Christmas and all that."
Pesi Fonua says the tender process is probably taking longer now due to safety concerns.
The destinations hardest hit are Niuafo'ou and Niuatoputapu islands in the far north of Tonga.
