Tonga’s deputy prime minister is challenging New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Murray McCully over why a controversial travel advisory for Tonga remains in place.

He says his argument is with McCully and not the New Zealand government.

The McCully prompted travel warning has been in force since last year after Tonga began flying a gifted MA60 aircraft from China which the New Zealand foreign minister claimed was not properly certified.

Tonga’s airline, Real Tonga, has since acquired additional aircraft to accommodate passengers and Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu says a recent World Bank report cleared the MA60.

The head of Real Tonga Airlines says he hopes the new planes that have started flying in recent days will encourage more people to travel to Tonga, despite the New Zealand government’s continued advisory.

Two Jetstream planes were purchased from Australia, one of which has already begun flying between Tongatapu and the islands of Ha’apai and Vava’u.

Real Tonga has been eagerly awaiting the commissioning of a Y12 plane gifted from China which has now arrived and will begin operating this week.

Tevita Palu says he hopes the additional planes will boost the tourism industry which has been badly affected by the New Zealand travel advisory.

“We did all this to try to encourage more people to travel to Tonga and to make sure that there is no concern with their safety.

“But it’s kind of difficult because the New Zealand government still have this travel warning on their internet.

“We put other airplane types into our operations to give people options on what airplanes to travel on. That’s the whole intent.”

Vaipulu says he had hoped the extra aircraft and a World Bank report clearing the MA60 would lift the advisory.

“The first flight this morning there were more New Zealander’s than Tongans on board the MA60 flight. We don’t know about the travel advisory but New Zealand people are travelling on the MA60 at the moment.

“It is a safe aircraft. I don’t treat it as New Zealand government, I treat it as Mr McCully issue only. Tonga is happy with New Zealand and it’s a McCully issue. It’s up to Mr McCully to remove it.

“That report has been revised, the World Bank report, and there’s no concern on the safety issue of the MA60. They are talking about certification but we did all what we did according to the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

Despite all efforts Vaipulu said McCully still hasn’t lifted the damaging travel advisory.

“He still hasn’t, I’ve given him all the documents but I don’t think he reads it.”

Palu says Tonga and its people have suffered because of the long-standing feud between the Tongan government and New Zealand.

“You know, New Zealand government have their own view on this matter, so does the Tongan government and it’s too bad that the people have to suffer. So yes, it’s a bit disappointing.

“But New Zealand share what their thoughts are on how matters should be addressed.

“I guess at the end of the day, whatever they do it has the impact on the people of Tonga and the country.”

Foreign Minister McCully also suspended tourism funding for Tonga when he challenged the proper certification of the MA60 aircraft.

The New Zealand government issues travel advisories for various countries on its website safetravel.govt.nz.

Under Tonga and the headline Transport Safety is says:

“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.”

The advisory was last reviewed on June 13 and is listed as still current as at August 7.