Air Pacific will not commence operations to Vavau, its second and newest destination in Tonga, until late 2008 or early 2009, according to the airline’s managing director and chief executive officer John Campbell.

He said this was because the destination will need to be established in marketing programmes overseas before the airline launched the route. 

Moreover, he said that local demand between Vavau and Fiji was not sufficient to justify dedicated services.

Last week, Fiji and Tonga signed a memorandum of understanding on air services between the two countries. The MoU would allow the extension of the route schedule provisions of the ASA (air service agreement) to include Vavau as the second point in Tonga for Fiji's designated airline (Air Pacific) and Nausori as second point in Fiji for Tonga's designated airline.

Signing the agreement, Tongan Transport Minister Paul Karalus had expressed hope that services would begin before the Tonga King’s coronation in August, which was expected to bring a lot of Tongans as well as visitors to the island country. Most travellers from the United States and other places come to Tonga via Nadi in Fiji.

Currently, Air Pacific is the only airline designated to operate international services under licences issued by Fiji as is the only scheduled airline that is owned and controlled by nationals of Fiji.

Campbell said Vavau was included in the Air Service Agreement (ASA) between Fiji and Tonga at the request of Air Pacific “because it is our intention to operate flights to Vavau in addition to our flights to Tongatapu”.

Still Cambell said they saw a relatively low initial demand and the route would be unprofitable until it was fully established in the airline’s international marketing programmes.

Air Pacific currently services Nadi – Tonga twice a week with B737 aircraft and Suva – Tonga three times weekly with ATR42 aircraft. 

“The route is highly seasonal and the demand varies from around 650 seats per week in the peak season to as low as 250 seats in the trough season. 

“The growth rate is dependent on Tonga’s ability to attract tourism and Air Pacific’s ability to effectively market the flights.”