Minister of Civil Aviation, Marine, and Ports Paul Karalus of Tonga

NUKUALOFA, Sept 3 Asia Pulse - Tonga's Minister of Transport, Paul Karalus says the government is still trying to ascertain how much financial strife Airlines Tonga is facing, reports Radio New Zealand International.

Mr Karalus said they have been in daily communication with the airline and a tentative deadline has been set for the airline to come up with a financial plan.

Mr Karalus said it was unfortunate that Airlines Tonga was unable to pay its bills, as two airlines competing in the domestic sector was ideal.

Karalus said that Tonga's stance on PIASA is that if the agreement came into force, it will ease travel across the Pacific, from East to West.

Tonga Transport Minister Paul Karalus said Nuku'alofa lost its innocence during the riots, but it would again be a place of love, friendship and peace.

Mr Karalus said the area destroyed in the events of 16 November was currently being surveyed, and the information would be used by a group of town planners from Manukau City and from Pro Design Architects who were expected to arrive in Tonga later this month.

Paul Karalus said Air Chatham is taking over as the second domestic airline to replace the Peau Vavau, which surrendered its Air Operators Certificate in January, and brought to an end their interest in operating a domestic air service.

MCPHERSON: Minister Karalus says the rebuilding of Nuku'alofa is important for the economic and political stability of Tonga.

The Transport minister Paul Karalus said the suggestions include developing a wharf where cruise ships can berth bringing them effectively to the front door of the city.

Paul Karalus is presently attending the Thirty Sixth Session of the General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) being held at ICAO headquarters from 18 to 28 September 2007.

In his welcoming remarks, Hon Paul Karalus said that although the groundbreaking ceremony is being held two years to the day when Nuku’alofa lost its innocence it was time to turn our backs on the past and bend our knees and backs to rebuild a greater Nuku’alofa, a city that will again be the abode of love, of friendship and of peace.

Services Agreement (PIASA) to make it a reality.

Paul Karalus says the corporate approach would help ensure that the reconstruction was of a high quality.

Mr Karalus says that they have been in daily communication with the airline and a tentative deadline has been set for it to come up with a financial plan.

Paul Karalus says its a pity Airlines Tonga has been unable to keep up with its bills, as two airlines competing in the domestic sector is ideal.

Mr Karalus says the Air New Zealand service was “bedded in” and he would be very reluctant to see it go.

Mr Karalus said Tonga had hired consultants to review the service and will work with Samoa to negotiate with the airline.

Paul Karalus is the owner of South Seas Coffee, the only company processing and selling coffee in the Kingdom of Tonga.

Paul Karalus says Vanuatu has become the fifth signatory but six nations have to ratify the Pacific Islands Air Services Agreement (PIASA) to make it a reality.

Paul Karalus says the five countries that have ratified the agreement are Cook Islands, Nauru, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu.

This agreement according to Karalus is a regional agreement that will provide for a multi-lateral basis for liberalising air services between the Forum Island Countries.