COVID-19: Air New Zealand launches repatriation flights to Tonga

COVID-19: Air New Zealand launches repatriation flights to Tonga on August 4, 2020.
The first repatriation flight left Auckland on Tuesday morning. Photo credit: Newshub.

An Air New Zealand flight departed Auckland International Airport on Tuesday morning taking Tongan citizens home who have been stuck since COVID-19 border restrictions were put in place.

Flight NZ970 is expected to arrive at Fua'amotu International Airport at 1:30pm (local time).

The airline has been running fortnightly repatriation flights to Samoa since May 29, but Tuesday's is the first to Tonga.

All passengers had to take a coronavirus test four days before travel and take with them proof of a negative result. 

They'll also have to quarantine at a government-run facility in Tonga for 14 days after arrival.

"Air NZ is pleased to be working closely with the Tongan government to help facilitate those wanting to return home," says Air NZ's Brent Roxburgh.

The airline says it is working on the second repatriation flight to Tonga and people interested in travelling on it should register on the Tongan government's website.