Lulutai Airlines
Lulutai Airlines, is a Tongan airline that operates domestic flights within Tonga. It commenced operations on September 24, 2020, after the collapse of Tonga's only domestic airline, Real Tonga Airlines. History Lulutai Airlines began flying in September 2020. This followed the demise of Real Tonga Airlines earlier that year, leaving Tonga without domestic air service. Real Tonga had struggled to be financially viable since its inception in 2013. COVID-19 exacerbated that situation, and $500,000 in damages from a bird strike incident in Vava'u in May 2020 involving the Saab 340 forced the airline to close. Soon after, the Saab's owner, Montrose Global, canceled the lease and transferred the plane to Lulutai Airlines on a dry lease. The Tongan Government owns the Y12 plane after China gifted it. Fleet Tongan Government-owned Lulutai Airlines provides much-needed connectivity between the Tongan islands. The airline has a fleet of just two planes, a Saab 340 (A3-PUA) and a 12 seater Harbin Y-12 that formerly flew for now-defunct Real Tonga Airlines. Destinations Lulutai Airlines connects Tonga's primary airport at Tongatapu (near the capital Nukuʻalofa) with Vava'u, Ha'apai, Niuafo'ou, and Niuatoputapu. According to the airline's website, it is planning to offer service to Fiji, Niue, and