Real Tonga and Nauru Airlines announce joint new routes

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Real Tonga domestic air service. Fua'amotu International Airport.

Real Tonga and Nauru Airlines aim to start operating joint twice-weekly flights from Tonga to Fiji and New Zealand starting in November this year. Nauru Airlines and Real Tonga Limited announced entering into an aircraft wet lease arrangement. Nauru Airlines will provide Real Tonga with crewed aircraft for these flights. The initial flight schedule will include twice weekly return flights from Tonga to Nadi and Auckland, with the intention of increasing services to three times per week as soon as possible. Subject to obtaining all necessary government and regulatory approvals, the airlines anticipate that services will commence in November 2019. Real Tonga Managing Tevita Palu said the new arrangement introduces the commencement of international operations, which have been serviced by foreign carriers. He said this will be the first time in recent years a local carrier will be able to provide these much needed services and provide an enormous benefit to the Tongan community, through better connectivity and more capacity. These new services will benefit tourism and create new employment opportunities for the local community, he said.
Nauru Airlines Chairman Trevor Jensen said Nauru Airlines is now considered one of the leading carriers in the Pacific.  “We are incredibly excited about this new endeavour and the benefits it will bring to the people of Nauru, Tonga and the Pacific.” He said plans are already underway to develop services for Real Tonga to other locations, including Brisbane and other Australian cities.
Real Tonga currently offers domestic flights throughout Tonga, while Nauru Airlines services seven countries across the Pacific with five aircraft.