Tonga - 2.2.2 Vava’u International Airport (Lupepau’u Airport)
Airport Overview
Vavaʻu International Airport, also known as Lupepauʻu International Airport, is located 10 km north of the capital Neiafu on the Island of Vava'u.
It is an international airport however scheduled international flights operate infrequently with most flights arriving in Tongatapu. Charters and private aircraft may still use the international facilities at Vava'u Airport by contacting Tonga Airports Ltd.
Flight time is 50 minutes to Tongatapu, 30 minutes to Ha’apai and a little over one hour to both Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou.
|
Airport Location and Contact |
|
|---|---|
|
Country |
Tonga |
|
Province or District |
Vava’u |
|
Nearest Town or City |
10km North of Neiafu |
|
Airport’s Complete Name |
Lupepauʻu International Airport |
|
Latitude |
-18.585336 |
|
Longitude |
-173.961717 |
|
Elevation (ft and m) |
236 feet |
|
IATA Code |
VAV |
|
ICAO Code |
NFTV |
|
Managing Company or Airport Authority |
Tonga Airports Ltd |
|
Management Contact Person |
Tevita Kaitu’u Fotu (Fua’amotu Airport) |
|
Open From (hours) |
1930Z |
|
Open To (hours) |
0330Z |
Airport Picture
Description and Contacts of Key Companies
Tonga Airports Ltd (TAL) maintains and manages airport operations and infrastructure. This includes cargo screening for the airlines.
Air Terminal Services (ATS) is responsible for all ground handling. They have ground handling equipment to handle B787 aircrafts.
Lulutai Airlines operates all domestic flights within Tonga’s islands.
For more information on airport contacts, please see the following link: HQ staff will input a link to section 4.5 Airport Companies Contact List here.
Information on some aviation service providers can be found at: http://www.azfreight.com/
Passenger and Cargo Performance Indicator
There are no reported issues with current performance. Resources appear adequate for current volumes and there are plans to upgrade facilities progressively in future.
Performance for 2019
|
|
Per Year |
Per Month |
Per Day |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total Aircraft Movements
International Domestic |
1048
120 928 |
87
10 77 |
20
3 17 |
|
Total Passengers
International Domestic |
47266
7,716 39,550 |
3900- 4000
643 3296 |
1000
161 839 |
|
Total Capacity of the Airport (MT) |
101 |
8.5 |
2 |
|
Current Activity of the Airport (MT) |
50 |
4 |
1 |
|
Current use by Humanitarian Flights (UNHAS) |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
There is no mechanical handling equipment at the airport because there are limited international flights. ATS have manual handling with trollies only.
Runways
Runway surface is tar sealed or asphalt mixed in place.
|
Runway 08/26 |
|
|---|---|
|
Runway Dimensions |
1700 m x 30 m |
|
Runway Orientation |
NIL |
|
Runway Surface |
Tar or asphalt mixed in place, oiled |
|
Runway Condition |
Good |
Runway can be used from either heading.
Helicopter Pad(s)
|
Helipad #1 |
|
|---|---|
|
Present |
Yes |
|
Largest Helicopter that can Land |
Any |
|
Width and Length (m) |
50 x 100 |
|
Surface |
Grassed areas and asphalt apron |
Airport Infrastructure Details
|
Customs |
Yes |
JET A-1 fuel |
Yes |
|
Immigration |
Yes |
AVGAS 100 |
No |
|
Terminal Building |
Yes Yes
Combined
|
Single Point Refuelling |
No |
|
Passenger Terminal |
Air Starter Units |
No |
|
|
Cargo terminal |
Ground Power (mobile) |
No |
|
|
Pax Transport to Airfield |
Yes |
Ground Handling Services |
Manual |
|
Control Tower |
Yes |
Latrine Servicing |
No |
|
Weather Facilities |
Yes |
Fire Fighting Category (ICAO) |
CAT 4 |
|
Catering Services |
No |
De-icing Equipment |
No |
|
Base Operating Room |
Yes |
Parking Ramp Lighting |
Yes |
|
Airport Radar |
No |
Approach & Runway Lights |
Yes |
|
NDB |
Yes |
VOR |
No |
|
ILS |
Yes |
|
|
Airport Operating Details
|
Maximum Sized Aircraft that can be Offloaded on Bulk Cargo |
No bulk handling equipment available |
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|---|---|---|---|
|
Maximum Sized Aircraft that can be Offloaded on Pallet |
No pallet handling equipment available |
||
|
Total Aircraft Parking Area (m²) |
2,750 m2 |
||
|
Storage Area (m3 and MT) |
Nil |
||
|
Handling Equipment |
|||
|
Elevators / Hi Loaders |
No |
Max Capacity (MT) |
|
|
Max Height (m) |
|
||
|
Loading Ramps |
No loading equipment for use on ramps |
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|
Other Comments |
|
||
1. Y12E – Can land and takeoff
2. BN2A - Can land and takeoff
3. SAAB340 – Can land and takeoff
4. MA60 – Can land and takeoff
5. J32 – Can land and takeoff
Weight Limitations:
1. Y12E: MCTOW – 5670 kg (17 seats non pressurize)
2. BN2A: MCTOW – 2994 kg (9 seats – non pressurize)
3. SAAB340: MCTOW – 12930 kg (34 seats – pressurize)
4. MA60: MCTOW – 21800 kg (52 seats – pressurize)
5. J32: MCTOW – 7350 kg (17 seats – pressurize)
Customs Guidance
There are international flights per week scheduled (ex-Fiji). Customs are at the airport for international flights.
For more information on customs in TONGA, please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information
Storage Facilities
There are no storage facilities available.
Airfield Costs
NAVIGATION CHARGES
Charges below are for international flights.
|
Charges |
Aircraft Weight - MTOW (tonnes) |
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 – 5 tonnes |
6 – 50 tonnes |
More than 50 tonnes |
|
Navigation (per journey) USD - $ |
$ 25 / T |
|
|
|
Landing USD - $ |
$7.33 (Domestic) |
$27.25 (International) |
|
|
Night Landing USD - $ |
After hours charge $ 676.00 |
||
|
Night Take-Off USD - $ |
|||
|
Parking USD - $ |
3-8 hours $5.00 + $1.00c/hr. thereafter |
3-8 hours $30.00 + $7.00c/hr. thereafter |
3-8 hours $60.00 + $12.00c/hr thereafter |
|
Handling Charges |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
FUEL SERVICES CHARGES
There are fuel services available.
|
|
Price per Litre USD - $ |
|---|---|
|
Jet A-1 |
3.00 |
|
Avgas |
Nil |
CARGO TERMINAL CHARGES
Services offered are basic only, hence many are not included / available in the table below. Cargo is handled by Air Terminal Services. Contact is 35449.
Import Charges
|
Type of Charge |
Rate USD - $ per kg |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
|
Handling Charge |
On application |
Charges are by the job lot not per Kg and prices only given on application |
|
Break Bulk Fee |
On application |
Charges are by the job lot not per Kg |
|
Diplomatic Mail |
N/A |
Service not available |
|
Strong Room – per consignment |
N/A |
Service not available |
|
Cold Storage Fee |
N/A |
Service not available |
|
Delivery Outside Normal Working Hours |
N/A |
Service not available |
|
Preparation of substitute AOA – Invoice – Receipt |
N/A |
|
|
Storage per Day |
Nil |
|
|
Export |
||
|
Handling Charges – Un-palletized Cargo |
N/A |
|
|
International Air Waybill |
$70 |
|
|
Local Air Waybill |
$22 |
|
|
Air Waybill Amendment - Cancellation |
N/A |
|
|
Air Waybill Documentation |
$70 |
|
|
Diplomatic Mail |
N/A |
|
|
Storage Charges per Day |
$60 |
|
AIR-BRIDGE CHARGES
There are no air-bridge services available.
Security
Perimeter is fenced. Security screening is required for all international flights.