15 Dec 2004

Tonga Civil Aviation official says no safety concerns about Eua airport

11:17 am on 15 December 2004

The Secretary of Civil Aviation in Tonga says after receiving reports from operators, he believes there are no safety concerns regarding the airport on Eua.

Last month, local media reported that a Peau Vava'u aircraft made an emergency landing at the airport after a tyre blew out.

The reports also said the plane had to take evasive action to avoid coconut trees that were obstructing the flight path.

However, Mapa Faletau says the aircraft only had a flat tyre which was promptly repaired.

And he says the Ministry had made the approach to the airport safe before the test flight arrived.

"We've had the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority conduct the assessment to include Eua after the work was done. They were satisfied with the work that had been done and made recommendations to the ministry to approve the flights into 'Eua."