New Zealanders have been warned against flying on Tonga’s national airline.
A travel advisory issued by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) relates to the Real Tonga airline which has just purchased an MA-60 aircraft.
“This aircraft has been involved in a significant number of accidents in the last few years,” MFAT said.
The MA-60 was not certified to fly in New Zealand or other comparable jurisdictions and would not be allowed to do so without a thorough certification process under Civil Aviation rules, the advisory said.
“Travellers utilising the MA-60 do so at their own risk,” the advisory warned.
NZ foreign affairs minister Murray McCully said the aircraft had been the subject of “serious concerns” amongst aviation experts.
“The New Zealand Government has put support for the Tongan tourism industry on hold, and we will not be spending taxpayer money promoting tourism in Tonga until we are satisfied with the safety and reliability of this new air service,” the minister said.
