Real Tonga

Real Tonga commenced operations on 4 March 2013,{{cite web|url=http://pidp.org/archive/2013/January/01-25-04.htm |accessdate=April 18, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714223304/http://pidp.org/archive/2013/January/01-25-04.htm |archivedate=July 14, 2014 |title=Tonga Businesses Worried Over Local Air Services}} taking over services previously operated by Chathams Pacific, a subsidiary of New Zealand-based airline Air Chathams. The airline was started up with funding from the owner Tevita Palu, as well as the gifting of several aircraft from China to the Tongan government, including a Xian MA60, which were then leased to Real Tonga.{{cite web|url=http://www.pacifictradeinvest.com/wp/?p=4503 |title=Delegation reassures stakeholders of Real Tonga airlines | Pacific Islands |publisher=Pacifictradeinvest.com |date=2013-02-22 |accessdate=2015-04-18}}

The use of the MA60 generated controversy in both Tonga and New Zealand due to the type's safety record, and the New Zealand government issued a travel advisory, warning against air travel in Tonga. As a result of this, tourist numbers dropped, particularly on the outer islands, where the reduction in the number of tourists had a significant impact on the local economy.{{cite web|url=http://www.islandsbusiness.com/2013/10/pacific-update/tourism-operators-suffer-as-ma60-debate-drags-on/ |accessdate=April 18, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006122247/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/2013/10/pacific-update/tourism-operators-suffer-as-ma60-debate-drags-on/ |title=Tourism operators suffer as MA60 debate drags on|archivedate=October 6, 2014 }}

In June 2014, Real Tonga announced that it had purchased two British Aerospace Jetstream 32 aircraft from Australia.{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/246873/tonga-dumps-ma60 |title=Tonga dumps MA60 | Radio New Zealand News |publisher=Radionz.co.nz |date=2014-06-11 |accessdate=2015-04-18}}

On 12 May 2020 Real Tonga was not operating after the MA60 lease was terminated, the Y-12 lease expired and the Saab 340 was out of service after a birdstrike incident. This occurred amid issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the laying off of staff and pilots.{{Cite web|title=Lack of Govt support adds to Real Tonga’s woes|url=https://matangitonga.to/2020/05/12/-real-tonga-woes|date=2020-05-12|website=Matangitonga|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}{{Cite web|title=Questions emerge over future of Tonga's domestic airline|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/416070/questions-emerge-over-future-of-tonga-s-domestic-airline|date=2020-05-07|website=RNZ |language=en-nz|access-date=2020-05-28}}

Two weeks later, on 27 May, the Tongan government announced they were cutting support for Real Tonga in favour of a new airline to be called Lulutai Airlines.{{Cite web|title=“Lulutai” name of Tonga's new domestic airline|url=https://matangitonga.to/2020/05/27/lulutai-name-tongas-new-domestic-airline|date=2020-05-27|website=Matangitonga|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}} It was reported that the airline had been running at a loss for seven years since its inception in 2013. This would make the Real Tonga the fifth Tongan domestic operator to cease operations since Royal Tongan Airlines collapsed in 2004. (See also: List of defunct airlines of Tonga).

Attempts were made to verify that the MA60 flown by Real Tonga was safe. Pilot Rodger McCutcheon said the MA60 is an excellent airplane. Ex-Air New Zealand pilots with over 15000 flight hours offered to re-certify the plane.{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/2596041/new-zealand-pilot-says-china-may-wade-into-nz-tonga-dispute |title=New Zealand pilot says China may wade into NZ-Tonga dispute | Dateline Pacific, 3:03 pm on 15 May 2014 | Radio New Zealand |publisher=Radionz.co.nz |date=2014-05-15 |accessdate=2015-04-18}}{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/244368/nz-pilot-says-tongan-plane-safe,-and-nz-should-approve |title=NZ pilot says Tongan plane safe, and NZ should approve | Radio New Zealand News |publisher=Radionz.co.nz |date=2014-05-14 |accessdate=2015-04-18}} The chief executive of Samoa Air added that he didn't believe the MA60 aircraft, gifted to Tonga by China, is a significant safety issue.{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/221813/tonga-validation-team-member-says-aircraft-not-a-major-safety-concern |title=Tonga validation team member says aircraft not a major safety concern | Radio New Zealand News |publisher=Radionz.co.nz |date=2013-09-16 |accessdate=2015-04-18}}

However, on March 6 of 2015, the airline decided to ground and return the MA60 turboprop, due to pressure from the New Zealand government. By doing this, the Pacific island nation triggered a release of NZ$10 million in aid to it.{{cite web|last=Moores |first=Victoria |url=http://atwonline.com/airframes/real-tonga-rejects-ma60-secures-aid |title=Real Tonga rejects MA60, secures aid | Airframes content from |publisher=ATWOnline.com |date=2015-03-06 |accessdate=2015-04-18}} A 68-seater ATR 72-600 was leased from Fiji Airways to operate a number of charter flights.{{cite news|last1=Paylor|first1=Anne|title=Real Tonga leases Fiji Airways ATR 72 to plug MA60 capacity gap|url=http://atwonline.com/airframes/real-tonga-leases-fiji-airways-atr-72-plug-ma60-capacity-gap|publisher=Air Transport World|date=16 April 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418124448/http://atwonline.com/airframes/real-tonga-leases-fiji-airways-atr-72-plug-ma60-capacity-gap|archivedate=18 April 2015}}

File:REALtonga MA60.jpg at Fuaʻamotu International Airport]]

The Real Tonga fleet comprised the following aircraft (as of August 2016):{{cite journal|title=Global Airline Guide 2016 (Part Two)|journal=Airliner World|issue=November 2016|page=34}}

• Royal Tongan Airlines

{{Reflist}}

Category:Defunct airlines of Tonga

Category:Airlines established in 2013

Category:Airlines disestablished in 2020

Category:2013 establishments in Tonga

Category:2020s disestablishments in Tonga