FIJI has signed an Air Service Agreement with the Tongan Government opening up a new airspace for the country’s national airline Fiji Airways.

In a memorandum of understanding signing on Denarau on Tuesday night, Minister for Civil Aviation and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum penned the agreement with Tongan counterpart Etuate Lavulavu.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the MOU was based on the Air Service Agreement which would allow Fiji Airways and Fiji Link to carry out flights within Tonga, in particular between Tongatapu and Vavau.

“This agreement has been reached with the fact that both countries are agreeable to this and we are looking at forging this relationship a lot deeper and further,” he said.

“I would like to thank the Tongan Government for their forward-looking aspect to this where we both can mutually assist each other where we can benefit from the services we provide.”

Mr Lavulavu said Tonga was looking to Fiji for help.

“At this point we need help from Fiji especially with domestic airlines not being reliable at the moment in Tonga so we are looking to Fiji Airways for help,” he said.

“On behalf of the Tongan Government, I’d like to thank the Fijian Government for the opportunity and look forward for fruitful years to come.”