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Royal Tongan Airlines giving up its B737
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Posted on Mar 19 2001
ALOFI, Niue (PINA Nius) — Royal Tongan Airlines is returning the Boeing 737-200 it leases and withdrawing from operating its own jet on flights to Auckland, Nadi and Niue.
Instead it will code share with other airlines for most international services. However, it is expected to continue to service Niue from Tonga using its Shorts 360 turboprop.
Air New Zealand now will increase its Auckland-Tonga-Auckland frequency from two to four flights a week. It will use a mix of Boeing 737 and 767 aircraft in code share flights with Royal Tongan.
Royal Tongan had been operating its Boeing 737 up to six days a week on the New Zealand-Tonga route as well as using it for Auckland-Niue and Tonga-Nadi flights.
Air New Zealand chief executive Gary Toomey said:
“We are looking forward to working with Royal Tongan Airlines in this expanded partnership and being further involved in inbound tourism initiatives in Tonga.”
Royal Tongan Airlines general manager Semisi Taumoepeau stated that Royal Tongan Airlines is undergoing a restructuring.
He said: “This code-share arrangement will benefit the airline greatly by helping us to reduce costs on the international routes and is part of our strategy for the immediate future.
“It also will provide adequate capacity and schedules for the traveling public as well as the tourism market by offering four services a week.”
Niuean officials are meeting with Royal Tongan Airlines this week to ensure the continuation of the Nuku’alofa-Niue flights using the Shorts 360.
Niue officials are making a stopover in Tonga on their way to a joint consultative committee meeting in Wellington to ensure Tonga-Niue-Tonga services continue.
