Aid to arrive in Tonga as airport opens, phone lines partially restored

Aircraft carrying much-needed humanitarian supplies from Australia and New Zealand will arrive in tsunami-hit Tonga on Thursday, as the South Pacific island finally made contact with the rest of the world after being cut off for five days. Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton said a Royal Australian Air Force aircraft loaded with humanitarian supplies and a sweeper to help remove ash from the airport runway had left Brisbane and another aircraft would leave later on Thursday. New Zealand's foreign minister said its air force has also sent a C-130 Hercules from Auckland, which will land in the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa at about 4 p.m. New Zealand time (0300 GMT). "The aircraft is carrying humanitarian aid and disaster relief supplies, including water containers, kits for temporary shelters, generators, hygiene and family kits, and communications equipment," foreign minister Nanaia Mahuta said. The delivery of supplies will be contactless and the aircraft is expected to be on the ground for up to 90 minutes before returning to New Zealand, she said. Tonga is COVID-19 free and is concerned that aid personnel may bring the virus.<br/>