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 the majority of 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’u.
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Airport Location and Contact |
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Country |
Tonga |
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Province or District |
Vava’u |
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Nearest Town or City |
Neiafu Distance: 10 km |
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Airport’s Complete Name |
Vavaʻu International Airport (aka Lupepauʻu International Airport) |
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Latitude |
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Longitude |
-173.9617
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Elevation (ft and m) |
236 feet, 72 meters |
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IATA Code |
VAV |
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ICAO Code |
NFTF |
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Managing Company or Airport Authority |
Tonga Airports Ltd |
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Management Contact Person |
Seini Tokolahi |
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NGO and/or UN Presence at Airport? |
No |
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.
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.
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Performance for 2015 |
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Per Year |
Per Month |
Per Day/ |
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Total Aircraft Movements |
2168 |
130 – 230 |
5 - 10 |
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Total Passengers |
34748 |
1400 - 4000 |
51 - 150 |
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Total Capacity of the Airport (MT) |
80 |
6 |
0.25 |
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Current Activity of the Airport (MT) |
35 |
2 - 4 |
0.07 – 0.15 |
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Current use by Humanitarian Flights (UNHAS) |
NIL |
NIL |
NIL |
There is no mechanical handling equipment at the airport because there are very limited international flights. ATS has manual handling with trollies only.
Runways
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Runway #1 |
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Runway Dimensions |
1705 m x 30 m |
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Orientation |
08 / 26 |
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Surface |
Tar or asphalt mixed in place, oiled |
| Condition | Good |
Runway can be used from either heading.
Helicopter Pad(s)
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Helipad #1 |
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|---|---|
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Present (Yes / No) |
Yes |
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Largest helicopter that can land |
Any |
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Width and Length (metres) |
50 x 100 |
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Surface |
Grassed areas and asphalt apron |
Airport Infrastructure Details
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Customs |
No |
JET A-1 fuel |
No |
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Immigration |
No |
AVGAS 100 |
No |
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Terminal Building |
Yes Combined |
Single Point Refueling |
No |
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Passenger Terminal |
Air Starter Units |
Yes | |
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Cargo terminal |
Ground Power (mobile) |
Yes | |
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Pax transport to airfield |
Yes |
Ground Handling Services |
Manual |
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Control Tower |
Yes |
Latrine Servicing |
No |
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Weather Facilities |
Yes |
Fire Fighting Category (ICAO) |
No |
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Catering Services |
No |
De-icing Equipment |
No |
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Base Operating Room |
Yes |
Parking Ramp Lighting |
No |
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Airport Radar |
No |
Approach & Runway Lights |
No |
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NDB |
Yes |
VOR |
Yes |
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ILS |
Yes |
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Airport Operating Details
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Operating Details |
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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 |
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Total Aircraft Parking Area (m²) |
2,750 m2 |
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Storage Area (m3 and MT) |
Nil |
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Handling Equipment |
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Elevators / Hi Loaders |
No |
Max Capacity (MT) |
3 |
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Max Height (m) |
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Loading Ramps |
No loading equipment for use on ramps |
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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 is only one international flight a week scheduled (ex-Fiji), otherwise there are no customs required at the airport. Extra customs people will be flown from Fua’amotu Airport on a needs basis.
For more information on customs in Tonga, please see the following link: 1.3 Tonga Customs Information
Storage Facilities
There are no storage facilities available
Airfield Cost
Charges below are for international flights.
NOTE THESE CHARGES ARE WAIVED FOR AIRCRAFT ENGAGED IN DISASTER RELIEF
Navigation Charges
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Charges |
Aircraft Weight - MTOW (kg) |
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0 - 7,000 |
7,001 - 136,000 |
136,001 and over |
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Navigation (per journey) USD - $ (Payable to Air Services Australia Ltd) |
$ 25 / T |
n/a |
n/a |
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Landing USD - $ |
$ 3.64 / T |
$ 3.64 / T |
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Night Landing USD - $ |
After hours charge $ 302
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Night Take-Off USD - $ |
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Parking |
3-8 hours $2.50 + .50c/hr. thereafter |
3-8 hours $30 + 3.50/hr. thereafter |
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Handling Charges |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Fuel Services Charges
No refuelling at all. This reduces the passenger loading of incoming aircraft. There are plans to have refuelling capacity comprising 2 x 10,000 litre above ground tanks serviced by a 5,000 litre trailer making regular trips to and from Nukualofa. This is planned to be in place late December 2016.
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Price per Litre USD - $ |
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Jet A-1 |
n/a |
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Avgas |
n/a |
Cargo Terminal Charges
Services offered are basic only, hence many are not included /available in the table below.
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Import Charges |
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Type of Charge |
Rate USD - $ per kg |
Comments |
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Handling Charge |
On application |
Charges are by the job lot not per Kg and prices only given on application |
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Break Bulk Fee |
On application |
Charges are by the job lot not per Kg |
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Diplomatic Mail |
N/A |
Service not available |
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Strong Room – per consignment |
N/A |
Service not available |
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Cold Storage Fee |
N/A |
Service not available |
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Delivery Outside Normal Working Hours |
N/A |
Service not available |
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Preparation of substitute AOA – Invoice – Receipt |
N/A |
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Storage per Day |
$60.00 |
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Export Charges (USD -$) |
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Handling Charges – Un-palletized Cargo |
N/A
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International Air Waybill |
$70 |
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Local Air Waybill |
$22 |
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Air Way Bill Amendment - Cancellation |
N/A |
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Air Way Bill Documentation |
$70 |
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Diplomatic Mail |
N/A |
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Storage Charges per Day |
$60 |
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Air-bridge Charges
There are no air-bridge services available.
Security
Perimeter is fenced. No past security issues.
