[Cancelled] Chinese Government donates MA60 aircraft worth $14.12 million (Linked to Project ID#37761)
Commitment amount
$ 15927876.116920471
Adjusted commitment amount
$ 15927876.116920471
Constant 2021 USD
Not recommended for aggregates
This project is not recommended for use in creating aggregated sums. See the documentation for more information about this criteria.
Summary
Funding agency [Type]
China Ministry of Commerce [Government Agency]
Recipient
Tonga
Sector
Transport and storage (Code: 210)
Flow type
Grant
Infrastructure
No
Category
Project lifecycle
Description
On July 6, 2013, the Chinese Government donated a 52-seat MA60 aircraft to the Government of Tonga. The handover ceremony took place in the presence of King Tupou VI at Fua'amotu Airport. This plane was to be used by Real Tonga Airlines to improve domestic aviation capacity. It was constructed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) at a cost of $14.12 million. AVIC also agreed to provide maintenance expertise for the first three years of use. This was one of two major aircraft donations by the Chinese Government (see Project ID#37761). However, the vessel has raised safety concerns over safety, which led the Government of New Zealand to $5 million of tourism aid to the Government of Tonga and issue a safety warning. In March 2015, the Government of Tonga returned the MA60 to China, triggering the release of $7.5 million worth of aid from New Zealand to Tonga.
Number of official sources
5
Number of total sources
15
Details
Cofinanced
No
Direct receiving agencies [Type]
Government of the Kingdom of Tonga [Government Agency]
Implementing agencies [Type]
Real Tonga Airlines [Private Sector]
Aviation Industry Corporation of China, Ltd. (AVIC) [State-owned Company]