Stranded karate group borrows money for flights

By MATHEW DEARNALEY

A 38-strong group of young karate competitors and supporters hit by an airline's financial problems are relying on a hefty bank loan to get to a tournament in the Cook Islands.

This is because Air New Zealand doubts it will receive a financial guarantee for carrying stranded passengers for Royal Tongan Airlines, which has suspended its international service, despite an earlier assurance that the Tongan Government would pay.

Passengers were encouraged when the airline gave the assurance this week of Government funding, but the lack of a guarantee letter means they will have to buy new tickets to keep travel plans alive.

Auckland shop worker and unpaid karate instructor Angie Fuhiniu says she has had to borrow almost $24,000 from her bank for 38 mainly teenage students and their guardians to leave tomorrow for Rarotonga.

The group, including 10 from Kaitaia, spent many months raising $21,000 for fares on Royal Tongan but had to fork out an extra $815 for each person for return tickets on Air New Zealand.

Royal Tongan could not be reached for comment but one source suggested the Tongan Government had changed its position and might now be prepared to pay only for passengers carried by Samoa's Polynesian Airlines.

The International Air Transport Association's New Zealand manager, Brian Downes, confirmed his organisation was holding fares paid by travel agents for Royal Tongan tickets.