Vava'u International Airport
| Vavaʻu International Airport Lupepauʻu International Airport |
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IATA: VAV – ICAO: NFTV
 VAV
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| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Public | ||
| Operator | Ministry of Civil Aviation | ||
| Location | Vavaʻu, Tonga | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 236 ft / 72 m | ||
| Coordinates | 18°35′07″S 173°57′42″W / 18.58528°S 173.96167°WCoordinates: 18°35′07″S 173°57′42″W / 18.58528°S 173.96167°W | ||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| ft | m | ||
| 08/26 | 5,593 | 1,705 | Bitumen |
| Source: World Aero Data[1] | |||
Vavaʻu International Airport (IATA: VAV, ICAO: NFTV), also known as Lupepauʻu International Airport, is an airport in Vavaʻu, Tonga.
Vava’u is Tonga’s main tourism hub, where some 34 islands provide both dramatic scenery and a world renown center for water related activities; sailing, fishing, diving. In season (July - October) humpback whales migrate north to mate and calf in the warm waters of Vava’u providing spectacular sights for visitors as well as opportunities to swim with whales.
The airport is located 10 km (6.2 mi) north of the capital Neiafu.
Vava'u is an international airport however scheduled international flights no longer operate with all such flights arriving in Tongatapu. Charters and private aircraft may still use the International facilities at Vava'u airport by contacting Tonga Airports Ltd.
Domestic air services are operated by Chathams Pacific Airlines which is a wholly owned subsidiary of New Zealand Airline Air Chathams Ltd.
Chathams Pacific operate an online booking system offering twice daily flights to and from Tongatapu. They generally run a 50 seat Convair 580 on this route with an 18 seat Metroliner also used periodically.
Less frequent services connect Vava’u to Ha’apai, Niuafo’ou and Niuatoputapu. Flight time is 50 minutes to Tongatapu, 30 minutes to Ha’apai and a little over one hour to both Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’u.
Advice for passengers:
- Tonga is a small country with limited resources and flights. If you have connecting international flights please ensure you have adequate time to make that connection. If in doubt stay over in Tongatapu - it also offers great landscapes and many attractions.
- Carry adequate travel and health insurance
- Passengers are requested to re-confirm their flights 1-2 working days before their departure.
- Passengers need to have completed check in 45 minutes before the flight departure time.
- In accordance with Tongan regulations there are no flights on Sundays.
- Chathams Pacific operate a fleet of 6 aircraft including a fully restored DC3 throughout the Kingdom of Tonga. If you are carrying unusual or large items of luggage (e.g. bikes or surfboards) then contact the airline in advance.
