Tonga Relief Efforts Hampered by Ash Deposits | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-05.19.25

Airborne-NextGen-05.20.25

AirborneUnlimited-05.21.25

Airborne-AffordableFlyers-05.22.25

AirborneUnlimited-05.23.25

Fri, Jan 21, 2022

Tonga Relief Efforts Hampered by Ash Deposits

Volcanic Eruption Douses Airfields with Thick, Volcanic Effluvium

New Zealand Rescue and relief efforts for Tonga's volcano-affected areas have been hampered by ash-covered landing zones, leading to difficulties in making deliveries and repairing communications throughout the region.

As of January 19th, a World Health Organization representative has said the Fua'amotu International Airport in Nuku'alofa has been cleared for operation once again. Extensive damage throughout the islands have led authorities to believe internet connectivity will not be restored to the region for at least a month, as the primary tap for Tonga was severed. 

Experts are still analyzing the root of the underwater eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano that erupted on January 15th, but its effects were readily seen as a plume of smoke blasted from under the water after a week of smoldering. The eruption caused a tsunami that that quickly made its way ashore, hammering portions of the Polynesian island nation. The waves were sufficiently strong, that even portions of California received some minor flooding. 

The tsunami knocked out communications in many areas, leaving authorities in the dark as to the extent of the damage, particularly in the more far-flung, remote islands. The usual disaster relief is necessary, but ash from the eruption made it difficult to bring in equipment and supplies. For Fua'amotu airport, over 200 personnel were required to sweep only 330 feet of ash from the runway. Hundreds of volunteers, workers, and Tongan defense force personnel have cleared the debris off the runway by hand. The WHO liaison has said the bulk of humanitarian flights have received the all clearn, beginning with a New Zealand Defense Force C-130 Hercules with water, hygiene kits, and food, soon to be followed by similar loads from Australian Air Force planes. 

FMI:www.rnz.co.nz

Advertisement

More News

Oshkosh Memories: An Aero-News Stringer Perspective

From 2021: The Inside Skinny On What Being An ANN Oshkosh Stringer Is All About By ANN Senior Stringer Extraordinare, Gene Yarbrough The annual gathering at Oshkosh is a right of p>[...]

NTSB Prelim: Piper PA32RT

Video Showed That During The Takeoff, The Nose Baggage Door Was Open On May 10, 2025, about 0935 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32RT-300, N30689, was destroyed when it was invol>[...]

ANN FAQ: Follow Us On Instagram!

Get The Latest in Aviation News NOW on Instagram Are you on Instagram yet? It's been around for a few years, quietly picking up traction mostly thanks to everybody's new obsession >[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (05.28.25)

"I think what is key, we have offered a bonus to air traffic controllers who are eligible to retire. We are going to pay them a 20% bonus on their salary to stay longer. Don't reti>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.28.25): Pilot Briefing

Aero Linx: Pilot Briefing The gathering, translation, interpretation, and summarization of weather and aeronautical information into a form usable by the pilot or flight supervisor>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC