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   with Distance from Airport	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. 

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   with Distance from Airport	10km North of Neiafu
Airport’s Complete Name	Lupepauʻu International Airport
Latitude	-18.585336
Longitude	-173.961717
Elevation (ft and m)	236 feet  72 meters
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
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
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.