NUKU’ALOFA, TONGA –The Tongan government has affirmed the operational viability of state-owned Lulutai Airlines, describing the carrier as fully functional.
The Deputy Prime Minister stated that Lulutai is “good”, “operative” and “break even,” describing the successful review in Tongan as: “ko ē e ngāue ko ē na’a mau fai ki he Lulutaí ko eni kuo si’i mo’ui kuo puna holo.”
Break even, he meant the airlines are generating just enough revenue to cover costs without turning a significant profit.
The remarks came amid mounting scrutiny of the former Hu’akavameiliku government’s airline management, accused of making multimillion-dollar decisions without parliamentary transparency.
Critics highlighted controversial purchases like last year’s Twin Otter aircraft, which shocked the public and raised questions about fiscal oversight.
New Budget
Prime Minister Aisake Eke , also serving as the Finance Minister, confirmed the new budget allocates no funding to Lulutai and ruled out government loans, citing “interest from outside potential stakeholders” in acquiring shares.
“This is exciting, and we’re exploring partnerships,” he said, without naming interested parties.
While the airline’s performance data remains undisclosed, the government’s update offers hope—a turning point for Tonga’s troubled domestic aviation sector, which has grappled with service failures and nepotism allegations since Chatham Airlines left in 2013.
Tourism and aviation experts – including those from the IMF and World Bank – consistently maintain that no government-operated airline could survive in Tonga.
Their cited reasons include the small domestic market, political instability, high aircraft maintenance costs, and volatile fuel prices.
Lulutai Airlines, launched in 2020 to boost domestic connectivity, has faced operational challenges. Opposition members argue its financials remain opaque, demanding audits of past expenditures.
