Ni-Vanuatu Prime Minister Bob Loughman Weibur has asked the Tongan government to grant seventh-freedom rights to Air Vanuatu (NF, Port Vila) which would allow it to increase connectivity to/from Tonga by basing an aircraft there, the online Kaniva Tonga news site has reported.
"Such an arrangement would serve as a firm foundation for the creation of an equitable and collective multi-national air transport system for our countries and those of our fellow nations in Oceania," Weibur said.
Tonga - a country of just over 100,000 residents - has one active airline, Lulutai Airlines (L8, Tongatapu), which operates one Saab 340B(Plus) and one Y12. As the archipelago country remains in relatively strict COVID-related lockdown, the airline operates domestic services from Tongatapu to Eua, Ha'apai, and Vava'u on a scheduled basis but with reduced frequencies. It also serves Niuafo'ou through charter flights. The Tongan government is reportedly considering selling the state-owned airline to dormant Fly Niu Airlines, which is owned by 'Atu Finau, the Chief Executive of Air Vanuatu.
Commenting on the request for the seventh-freedom rights, Finau said Air Vanuatu was planning to expand its Pacific network but did not comment on whether the plan to acquire Lulutai Airlines was still in place.
Air Vanuatu is a larger carrier with a fleet comprising one ATR72-600, one B737-800, and three DHC-6-300s. Having cancelled its order for two A220-100s and two A220-300s, Air Vanuatu is reportedly adding another B737 to its fleet. It is also planning to add two DHC-6-400s. Besides an extensive domestic network, Air Vanuatu also serves Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia on a scheduled basis. It does not fly to Tonga due to the latter's travel restrictions. Vanuatu itself is poised to lift all remaining entry restrictions on July 1, 2022.
Air Vanuatu did not respond to ch-aviation's request for comment.
