Real Tonga's Chinese built MA60 entered service on Saturday... though not without some controversy. There has been some interesting points raised by Peter(?) in the comments section of these two posts... http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/tongas-ma60-airborne.html and http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/tongas-ma60-airborne.html
The NZ travel advisory is going to make further problems for Real Tonga as is noted in the latest TravelMemo. Despite the advisory, as an aviation enthusiast, I for one would like to fly on the MA60 and a Y12 for that matter. While I wish Real Tonga all the best in the end my sympathy lies with Chathams Pacific... their operation was working really well. Why fix what's not broken? Only the Tongan government can answer that question
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) have posted a warning travel advisory that reads: “Tonga’s domestic airline fleet currently includes an MA-60 aircraft. This aircraft has been involved in a significant number of accidents in the last few years. The MA-60 is 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. Travellers utilising the MA-60 do so at their own risk" (our emphasis). Southern Cross Travel Insurance confirmed to TravelMemo that such advisories invalidate any insurance cover.
TravelMemo has been told the MA-60 attempted a flight into Ha’apai last week but turned back to Nuku’alofa after reaching the island. Sources believe the pilots saw how short the runway actually was and opted not to land on it.
For the full article see : http://www.travelmemo.co.nz/memos/20130813.pdf
If anyone up in Tonga would happen to have a nice photo of the MA60 in Tongan registration I would love to be able to post a photo of it... Cheers, Steve westland831@gmail.com
I agree, Chathams Pacific was Amazing. Flown them many times, always on time and always reliable.
ReplyDeleteThat being said I hope RealTonga do well and all this rubbish about the MA-60 goes away.
I really like your honest reporting and opinions. Chathams was great for our Tourist operation in Vava'u. Very sad to see them go. Now our future is in question. We are really hoping Real Tonga does well, but the apparent political squabble over this plane will make it even harder. I am still waiting for some concrete facts justifying the travel advisory about the safety of the MA60 from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in NZ.
ReplyDeleteThe MA-60 might not be the problem but check out the final comment on this post...
ReplyDeletehttp://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/tongas-ma60-airborne.html
It is certainly sober reading!
We have been stranded two days now as the MA60 is not flying due tot he one and only chief pilot coming down with the flu. Very frustrating.
ReplyDeleteINTERESTING COMMENTS.IF THEY WISH TO MAKE MONEY AND PROVIDE A GOOD SERVICE IN TONGA BUY THREE DHC6 TWIN OTTERS RE CONFIGURE TO 14/15 SEATS TO SUIT THE SIZE/WEIGHT OF THE AVERAGE PASSENGER AND FLY THEM ON THREE/FOUR DAILY ROUND TRIPS TONGA-HAPAI-VAVA"U IF NECESSARY TWO OR EVEN THREE AIRCRAFT ON EACH SERVICE,OR STAGGER THE SERVICES SO TIMES OVERLAP.THESE SUITABLE MACHINES CAN SERVICE SAFELY EVERY AIRFIELD IN THE TONGAN GROUP ARE WELL PROVEN AND WOULD RESULT WITH PROFITABLE UTILISATION. CREW S WOULD BE EASY TO COME BY AND TRAINING NOT A PROBLEM.REAL TONGA TAKE A LESSON FROM POLYNESIAN AIRLINES SAMOA. A TWIN OTTER PILOT
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