Fuaʻamotu International Airport (IATA: TBU, ICAO: NFTF) is located on the south side of the main island, Tongatapu, 21 km from Nuku’alofa.

International airlines with regular services to Fuaʻamotu include Air New Zealand, Air Pacific and Virgin Australia. Air Pacific fly Boeing 737-800s from Nadi and Suva. Air New Zealand flies Airbus A320s, Boeing 737-300s, and Boeing 767-300ERs from Auckland. Virgin Australia fly a Boeing 737-800 from Sydney and Auckland.

There are separate International and Domestic terminals; a shuttle bus service between the terminals is available . Regular domestic services are operated by Real Tonga to Vava’u, Ha’apai & ‘Eua, less frequent services are operated to Niuatoputapu and Nuiafo’ou.

Airport Picture

1 = Terminal building

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.

Real Tonga operate all domestic flights within Tonga’s islands.

For information on Tonga Airports contact details, please see the following links: 

4.2.5 Tonga Airport Company Contact List

4.2.1 Tonga Government Contact List

 Information on some aviation service providers can be found at: AZ Freight Website information on Tonga

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.

Volumes peak in January (cargo 92,000MT, Passengers 98,000).

Cargo capacity is adequate for current volumes, there are minor infrastructure improvements planned such as a chiller facility (2017-18) for export fresh fish.

Runways

1. Asphalt runway in good condition recently upgraded

Fuaʻamotu Bitumen runway is PCN 45/F/B/1.1Mba/T and operates B 767-300ER restricted (ICAO Category 8). Project exists to upgrade to 9 in the coming years.

2. Grass runway in good condition. 

Helicopter Pad(s)

There is an asphalted apron area that could be used as a helipad. Area available will depend on whether other aircraft are parked on apron.

There is abundant space for heli-landing using grass fields around runways and aprons.

Airport Infrastructure Details

Airport and equipment is functional, equipment. There are no issues noted.

 Fuaʻamotu International Airport is equipped with VOR/DME (114.5) and NDB (245) navigational facilities. No ILS is available. Lighting is provided for the runway, apron, and taxiway.

There are plans for cargo chiller (fresh fish) to be constructed 2017-18.

Airport Operating Details

Customs Guidance

Customs officials are at the airport as required by flight schedules. They are on site 3 hours before scheduled departures and 3 hours after scheduled arrivals. Customs are generally efficient and honest with no unnecessary delays. Humanitarian flights will be given priority.

All border control and passenger immigration services are facilitated by ATS Tonga who operates all ground handling services.

For more information on customs in Tonga, please see the following link: 1.3 Tonga Customs Information

Storage Facilities

There are 2 storage facilities.

 Storage Facility A is within the airport closed facility, located approx.150 m west of the main airport compound. This facility is already in use by the airport ground handler (ATS) In an emergency situation it may be used, however it is now fully utilised by ATS. The semi-closed hall is about 150 m².

 Storage Facility B is just across the fence. It is approximately 150m². The quarantine department and customs offices are within this building. There is no excess space for storage available.

 There is no other storage space available at present.

Airfield Cost

Charges below are for international flights.

NOTE THESE CHARGES ARE WAIVED FOR AIRCRAFT ENGAGED IN DISASTER RELIEF

Navigation Charges

Fuel Services Charges

Pacific Energy supplies fuel. Price is set by the GoT.

TAL has a charge per litre.

Cargo Terminal Charges

Services offered are basic only, hence many are not included /available in the table below.

Air-bridge Charges

There are no air-bridge services available. 

Security

Security personnel are on duty 24/7. There have been no security issues raised in the past. Airport is to NZ and ICAO Certification Standards. Perimeter is fully fenced.