Real Tonga airline’s CEO Tēvita Palu has accused Tonga Airways of committing fraud after his airline had to carry dozens of passengers left stranded on their way to Vavaʻu.
As Kaniva News reported yesterday, the government refused Tonga Airways’ request for an operating license. However, the airline had already sold tickets.
Palu said selling tickets without an airline license was dishonest.
And he slammed the government for causing “big damage” by allowing Tonga Airways to operate without any aircraft.
Tonga Airways had planned to operate with aircraft leased from Fiji Airways.
“Real Tonga has struggled to fix the problem caused by Tonga Airways and the government,” Palu said.
One News New Zealand reported that some members of a group of 64 people had been on standby at Fua’amotu Airport since Wednesday in the hope of catching a flight to Vava’u, for their high school jubilee celebration.
A statement from Real Tonga’s commercial operations said the passengers had missed their connection from an international flight.
“The group were transferred from Tonga Airways and we put on extra flights for them,” the statement said.
“We managed to fly more than 40 of them to Vava’u on Wednesday.
“The other 20 passengers were flown to Vava’u on Thursday and Friday.”
The main points
- Real Tonga airline’s CEO Tevita Palu has accused Tonga Airways of committing fraud after his airline had to carry dozens of passengers left stranded on their way to Vava’u.
- As Kaniva News reported yesterday, the government refused Tonga Airways’ request for an operating license.
- However, the airline had already sold tickets.
- This week real Tonga flew dozens of passengers who had bought tickets with Tonga Airways to Vava’u.
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