The Tongan Government has reversed its earlier decision and agreed that it
“will not revoke or suspend Real Tonga’s air operator’s certificate” to run the
domestic air service in Tonga. In a jointly approved statement released yesterday by Real Tonga, the
Ministry of Infrastructure confirmed that it will not engage a foreign air
operator to run the domestic service and, instead, will work toward raising the
standard of the existing Tongan air service. The statement said that government intended to make a commitment to improve
aviation safety “to ensure that the safety and regulatory framework will be
developed to a higher and acceptable standard in line with ICAO standard.” There was no mention of the standards of the New Zealand Civil Aviation
Regulations in the statement.
Dialogue
The announcement follows concern over the domestic air service raised in
September, after a decision by Tonga’s Civil Aviation Authority to certify a
Y12 aircraft without addressing demands by the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) for Tonga to upgrade its aircraft
certification system. Cabinet had decided on August 21 to revoke the current Air Operator
Certificate of Real Tonga, and for the airline to reapply for an Air Operator
Certificate and certification in accordance with the Standards of the NZCAR’s (the New Zealand aviation certification standard). A
New Zealand operator was to be brought in to provide the domestic service
during a 90-days transition period, as part of measures to ensure that a
“Serious Safety Concern (SSC)” is not issued
on Tonga.
Specific issues
However, yesterday’s statement said that a dialogue between the Ministry of
Infrastructure and Real Tonga on September 30, had considered improving
domestic aviation safety “through objectively addressing specific safety
issues, and ensuring minimal impact on the public service that the
airline provides.” They statement also promised a closer collaboration between the Ministry and
PASO, which is recognized by ICAO
as a credible regulatory oversight entity within the Pacific region. “It is expected that PASO or another ICAO recognized oversight entity will perform a full review
of Real Tonga’s operational exposition, including detailed audits of the
company’s operations, aircraft airworthiness and maintenance activities. “However, the revoking of Real Tonga’s operating certificate would not be a
pre-requisite to this process. Individual aircraft will likely be scheduled out
of service for a number of days as part of the review process … Real Tonga has
reassured Government of its commitment to safety as its first priority.” The statement also said “Government does not deem it necessary to engage a
foreign air operator to be brought in. It is of the view that it can assist
Real Tonga by strengthening certain areas within the organization, by providing
better communication channels and direction between the two entities and
ensuring the provision of an ICAO acceptable safety
oversight provider; as well as formalizing and adopting the necessary legal and
regulatory framework to support local aviation.” “Government understands and recognizes the critical role that the domestic
carrier plays within the local economy through trade, tourism and social
aspects of its transport services and it is prepared to work together with Real
Tonga to objectively and effectively address the issues raised by ICAO and PASO, in a timely manner,
whilst ensuring that safe air services are maintained.” the
statement said.
International standards
Tonga’s Civil Aviation is under the Ministry of Infrastructure. The two specific areas of concern expressed by the ICAO
in its letter to the then Director of Tonga’s Civil Aviation, Viliami Cocker,
on 15 July was for Tonga to upgrade its aviation safety certification legal
frame work, and for Tonga to address its lack of aviation
engineering competency.
Source : http://matangitonga.to
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