Tonga questions NZ over continued travel advisory

Transcript

The Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga is challenging New Zealand's Foreign Minister Murray McCully over why a travel advisory for Tonga remains in place.

The travel warning has been in force since last year after Tonga began flying an MA60 aircraft from China which Mr McCully claimed was not properly certified.

Real Tonga has since purchased additional aircraft to accommodate passengers and Samiu Vaipulu says a recent World Bank report cleared the MA60.

Indira Moala reports.

The head of Real Tonga Airlines says he hopes the new planes they have acquired will encourage more people to travel to Tonga, despite the New Zealand government's advisory. Two Jetstream planes were purchased from Australia, one of which has already begun flying between Tongatapu and the islands of Ha'apai and Vava'u. Real Tonga is awaiting the arrival of a Y12 plane gifted from China which is expected to begin operating this week. Tevita Palu says he hopes the additional planes will boost the tourism industry which has been badly affected by the travel advisory.

TEVITA PALU: We did all this to try to encourage more people to travel to Tonga and to make sure that there is no concern with their safety. But it's kind of difficult because New Zealand government still have this travel warning on their internet. We put other airplane types into our operations to give people options on what airplanes to travel. Yeah, that's the whole intent. I mean we all hope that it will grow the Tourism in Tonga further by better support air services for Tonga and for the Tourists coming to Tonga.

Tonga's Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu says he had hoped the extra aircraft and a World Bank report clearing the MA60 would lift the advisory.

SAMIU VAIPULU: The first flight this morning there were more New Zealander's than Tongans on board the MA60 flight. We don't know about the travel advisory but New Zealand people are travelling on the MA60 at the moment. It is a safe aircraft. I don't treat it as New Zealand government, I treat it as Mr McCully only and Tonga is happy with New Zealand and it's a McCully issue. It's up to Mr McCully to remove it. That report has been revised, the World Bank report and there's no concern on the safety issue of the MA60. They are talking about certification but we did all what we did according to ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization).

INDIRA MOALA: And McCully still hasn't lifted that travel advisory

SV: He still hasn't, I've given him all the documents but I don't think he reads it.

Mr Palu says Tonga and its people have suffered because of the long-standing feud between the Tongan government and New Zealand.

TP: You know, New Zealand government have their own view on this matter, so does the Tongan government and it's too bad that the people have to suffer. So yes, it's a bit disappointing. But New Zealand share what their thoughts are on how matters should be addressed, so as the Tongan government. I guess at the end of the day, whatever they do it has the impact on the people of Tonga and the country.

Murray McCully suspended tourism funding for Tonga when he challenged the proper certification of the MA60 aircraft.