Airline passengers at the Fua’amotu International Airport will no longer have to walk across the tarmac in the rain when new jet bridges come into service.
It is understood that work on the bridges, which connect the terminal directly with passenger aircraft began on Monday.
Kaniva news has been told a New Zealand team is installing the bridges and work is expected to be finished soon.
Photos obtained by Kaniva news show what appear to be components of the jet bridges being lifted by a forklift at the airport ramp.
One photo shows what appears to be part of a jet bridge being installed next to the terminal.
When operational, these will be the first jet bridge at any airport in Tonga.
There have been complaint in the past from some passengers, including elderly and parents travelling with children because of the inconvenience they experienced while using stairways.
Authorities could not be reached for comment.
In December 2017 about 170 unhappy passengers had to walk 100 metres from the airport terminal and wait in the sun before they boarded an Air New Zealand aircraft.
The incident occurred after the terminal staff found out in the middle of seating the boarding passengers that one invalid passenger could not walk.
The main points
- Airline passengers at the Fua’amotu International Airport will no longer have to walk across the tarmac in the rain when new jet bridges come into service.
- It is understood that work on the bridges, which connect the terminal directly with passenger aircraft began on Monday.
For more information
Confusion before passengers boarding Air NZ flight sparks brief chaos at Fua‘amotu airport
