Domestic airline situation in Tonga

Anyone thinking about visiting outer island groups of Tonga (Ha'apai, Vava'u) should keep an eye on the domestic airline situation, which is very much in flux:

http://matangitonga.to/2013/01/24/tongan-businesses-concerned-over-uncertainties-domestic-air-service

Chathams Pacific is poised to pull out, thanks to the government's plan to start up another national airline (like the defunct Royal Tongan Airlines) that will apparently utilize Chinese aircraft.

More info here: http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/world/8183693/Chinese-plane-forces-NZ-airline-out-of-Tonga

I have been to Tonga twice and the domestic flights are a nightmare no matter who owns them.

Mary

I'm going this year and have been told to book via http://www.realtonga.to/