Fly Niu Airlines was an airline based in Tonga. It began and ceased operations in 2004.
| Founded | June 2004 |
|---|---|
| Commenced operations | June 2004 |
| Ceased operations | 10 September 2004 |
| Headquarters | Tonga |
History
editThe airline was established 2004 as one of a number of services following the collapse of Royal Tongan Airlines.[1] It began operations on 16 June 2004 using a De Havilland Canada Dash 8 flying to Vavaʻu.[2] On 3 August 2004 the Tongan government revoked its air operators certificate after introducing a "one airline" policy on the basis that the country is too small to support more than one domestic airline.[3] The monopoly was then granted to Peau Vavaʻu, owned by then Crown Prince Tupouto'a.[4] The airline's certificate was reinstated after it obtained a court injunction against the policy,[5] but it was forced to cease operations on 10 September 2004 after the injunction was overturned by Tonga's Supreme Court.[6][7] A subsequent judicial review was unsuccessful.[8]
In October 2019, Fly Niu CEO ‘Atu Fīnau announced that the airline to be flying in Tonga by December that year. The CEO said he had been told Lord Tu’ivikano's government removed the kingdom's one airline policy.[9]
References
edit- ^ "FLEDGLING TONGA AIR SERVICES STILL ON GROUND". Pacific Islands Report. 3 June 2004. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "FLYNIU TAKES OFF IN TONGA". Pacific Islands Report. 18 June 2004. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "TONGAN COURT TO DECIDE AIR MONOPOLY CHALLENGE". Pacific Islands Report. 8 September 2004. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "No royal hand in choosing airline, says Tonga official". RNZ. 17 August 2004. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "INJUNCTION CLEARS TONGA AIRLINE FOR TAKEOFF". Pacific Islands Report. 18 August 2004. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "COURT RULING GROUNDS FLEDGLING TONGA AIRLINE". Pacific Islands Report. 9 September 2004. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Tongan airline forced to cease operations under one-airline policy". RNZ. 8 September 2004. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "TONGA COURT DECLINES AIRLINE MONOPOLY REVIEW". Pacific Islands Report. 16 November 2004. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Cass, Philip (2019-10-27). "Fly Niu boss says he expects airline to be running services in Tonga by end of year".
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