Tonga - 2.2.1 Fuaʻamotu International Airport
Airport Overview
Fuaʻamotu International Airport (IATA: TBU, ICAO: NFTF) is located on the south side of the main island, Tongatapu, 21 km from Nuku’alofa.
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.
International airlines with regular services to Fuaʻamotu include Air New Zealand, Fiji Airways, Qantas and Virgin Australia. Fiji Airways fly Boeing 737-800s from Nadi and Suva. Air New Zealand flies Airbus A320s, Boeing 737-300s, Boeing 767-300ERs and Boeing 787 from Auckland. Qantas flies a Boeing 737-800 from Sydney.
There are separate international and domestic terminals; a shuttle bus service between the terminals is available. Regular domestic services are operated by Lulutai Airlines to Vava’u, Ha’apai and ‘Eua. Less frequent services are operated to Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou.
|
Airport Location and Contact |
|
|---|---|
|
Country |
Tonga |
|
Province or District |
Tongatapu |
|
Nearest Town or City |
Nuku’alofa Distance: 8 NM / 14.8KM South-Southeast of Nuku’alofa |
|
Airport’s Complete Name |
Fuaʻamotu International Airport |
|
Latitude |
-21.241111 |
|
Longitude |
-175.149444 |
|
Elevation (ft and m) |
129 feet, 39 meters |
|
IATA Code |
TBU |
|
ICAO Code |
NFTF |
|
Managing Company or Airport Authority |
Tonga Airports Ltd |
|
Management Contact Person |
Tevita Kaitu’u Fotu |
|
Open From (hours) |
3 hours before and after scheduled take-off and landings |
|
Open To (hours) |
|
Airport Picture
(Source: Google Earth; Airbus Satellite imagery dated 11/05/2023)
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.
Lulutai Airlines operate all domestic flights within Tonga’s islands.
For more information on airport contacts, please see the following link: 4.5 Airport Companies Contact List
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.
Volumes normally peak in January (cargo 92,000MT, passengers 98,000).
Performance for 2019
|
|
Per Year |
Per Month |
Per Day |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total Aircraft Movements: International Domestic |
1075 2056 |
90 300 |
10 70 |
|
Total Passengers: International Domestic |
213,296 62,291 |
17,700 5,190 |
4,000 1,300 |
|
Total Capacity of the Airport (, 000 MT) |
+40% |
+40% |
+40% |
|
Current Activity of the Airport (, 000MT) |
125 |
50-60 |
TBC |
|
Current use by Humanitarian Flights (UNHAS) |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Cargo capacity is adequate for current volumes, there are minor infrastructure improvements planned such as a chiller facility (2017-18) for exporting of fresh fish.
Runways
1. Asphalt runway in good condition and recently upgraded.
|
Runway # 11/29 |
|
|---|---|
|
Runway Dimensions |
2671m x 45m |
|
Orientation |
11 / 29 |
|
Surface |
70 / F / B / X / T Asphalt |
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 Category 9 in the coming years.
2. Grass runway in good condition.
|
Runway # 17 / 35 |
|
|---|---|
|
Runway Dimensions |
1270m X 30m |
|
Orientation |
17 / 35 |
|
Surface |
Grass |
Helicopter Pad(s)
There is an asphalted apron area that could be used for parking helicopters but there is no available helipad at Fua’amotu Airport. Area available will depend on whether other aircrafts are parked on apron.
|
Helipad #1 |
|
|---|---|
|
Present |
No |
|
Largest Helicopter that can Land |
Any (Approval issued by the Regulator on a case-by-case basis) |
|
Width and Length (m) |
225m – Length 80m – Width Eastern side 69m – Width Western side |
|
Surface |
Asphalt |
There is abundant space for heli-landing using grass fields around the runways and aprons
Airport Infrastructure Details
Airport and equipment are functional, equipment. There are no issues noted.
There are plans for a cargo chiller (for fresh fish) to be constructed in the future.
|
Customs |
Yes |
JET A-1 fuel |
Yes |
|
Immigration |
Yes |
AVGAS 100 |
Yes |
|
Terminal Building |
Yes |
Single Point Refuelling |
Yes |
|
Passenger Terminal |
Yes |
Air Starter Units |
Yes |
|
Cargo terminal |
Yes |
Ground Power (mobile) |
Yes |
|
Pax Transport to Airfield |
Yes |
Ground Handling Services |
Yes |
|
Control Tower |
Yes |
Latrine Servicing |
Yes |
|
Weather Facilities |
Yes |
Fire Fighting Category (ICAO) |
Yes |
|
Catering Services |
No |
De-icing Equipment |
No |
|
Base Operating Room |
Yes |
Parking Ramp Lighting |
Yes |
|
Airport Radar |
No |
Approach & Runway Lights |
Yes |
|
NDB |
Yes |
DVOR |
Yes |
|
ILS |
No |
|
|
Airport Operating Details
|
Operating Details |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Maximum Sized Aircraft that can be Offloaded on Bulk Cargo |
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner |
||
|
Maximum Sized Aircraft that can be Offloaded on Pallet |
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner |
||
|
Total Aircraft Parking Area |
60.1m – wingtip to wingtip 62.8m – nose tip – tail 47.0m – Minimum pavement width for 180 turn |
||
|
Storage Area (m3 and MT) |
300 m2 |
||
|
Handling Equipment |
|||
|
Elevators / Hi Loaders |
Trepel
|
Max Capacity (MT) |
|
|
Commander |
7 |
||
|
Commander |
7 |
||
|
Trepel Commander Commander |
Max Height (m) |
11ft or 3.5m 11ft or 3.5m |
|
|
Loading Ramps |
Yes |
||
|
Other Comments |
|
||
Customs Guidance
Customs officials are at the airport as required by flight schedules. They are on site three hours before scheduled departures and three 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: HQ staff will input a link to section 1.3 Customs Information
Storage Facilities
There are two 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). The facility may be used in an emergency; 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 based within this building. There is no excess space for storage available.
There is no other storage space available at present.
Airfield Costs
NAVIGATION CHARGES
Charges below are for international flights.
NOTE: CHARGES WAIVED FOR AIRCRAFTS ENGAGED IN DISASTER RELIEF.
|
Charges |
Aircraft Weight - MTOW (kg) |
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 - 7,000 |
7,001 - 136,000 |
136,001 and over |
|
Navigation (per journey) USD - $ |
$ 25 / T |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Landing USD - $ |
$ 3.64 / T |
$ 3.64 / T |
|
|
Night Landing USD - $ |
After hours charge $ 302. (update costings) |
||
|
Night Take-Off USD - $ |
|||
|
Parking |
3-8 hours $2.50 + .50c/hr. thereafter |
3-8 hours $30 + 3.50/hr. thereafter |
|
|
Handling Charges |
|
|
|
FUEL SERVICES CHARGES
Pacific Energy supplies fuel. Price is set by the Government of Tonga.
TAL has a charge per litre.
|
|
Price per Litre USD - $ |
|---|---|
|
Jet A-1 |
US$ 2.48 |
|
Avgas |
US$ 2.96 |
CARGO TERMINAL CHARGES
Services offered are basic only, hence many are not included /available in the table below.
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 |
$60 |
|
|
Export |
||
|
Handling Charges – Un-palletized Cargo |
N/A |
|
|
International Air Waybill |
$70 |
|
|
Local Air Waybill |
$22 |
|
|
Air Way Bill Amendment - Cancellation |
N/A |
|
|
Air Way Bill Documentation |
$70 |
|
|
Diplomatic Mail |
N/A |
|
|
Storage Charges per Day |
$60 |
|
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.