Fua'amotu International Airport
Encyclopedia
Fuaamotu International Airport is an international airport
in Tonga
. It is on the south side of the main island, Tongatapu
, 35 km from the capital of Tonga, Nukualofa
. Although named after the nearby village of Fuaamotu, which is on Tungī
's (the king's) estate, in reality the airfield is located on the Tui Pelehake
's estate, closer to the village of Pelehake (which did not yet exist as a village during the early aviation days).
Fuaamotu was originally built in 1942 by a civilian contractor for the US Army. It was intended as a World War II
heavy bomber field, and had three coral-surfaced runways. In the late 1970s it was expanded to permit jet aircraft to use the runways. Fuaamotu is now suitable for up to Boeing 767 size aircraft, but remains closed to larger jets (e.g., 747s).
Fuaamotu 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 Fuaamotu include Air New Zealand
, Air Pacific
and Pacific Blue Airlines. Air Pacific fly Boeing 737
-800s from Nadi
and Suva
. Air New Zealand flies Airbus A320
s, Boeing 737-300s, and Boeing 767-300ERs from Auckland. Pacific Blue have begun flying a Boeing 737-800 to Fuaamotu from Sydney
and Auckland
.
is provided. The tower is contactable on 118.5, and Ground on 120.9. Outside of the hours of service at Fuaamotu a limited FIS is available via Nadi.
Runway 11/29: (Elev 91 ft/28m) PCN 45 FBXT (Flexible pavement, medium subgrade strength, medium tyre pressure (1500kPa), technical evaluation completed). Runway End Identifier Lights are installed at each end of the runway, as are T-VASI glidescope indicators. Low Intensity Runway Lighting
is provided, and a simple Low Intensity Lighting Approach Lighting System
is installed on Runway 11.
It is the strength of the runway rather than the length that restricts operations from Fuaamotu. Even a fully laden Boeing 767-300ER on a flexible pavement B strength, such as at this airport, requires a Pavement Classification Number
(PCN) of 59, therefore is not allowed to takeoff with full load. The same can be said of a Boeing 747-400, which theoretically could take off and land at Fuaamotu length-wise, but needs a PCN of 66, and would therefore damage the runway severely in the process. (A B747-400 weighs over twice as much as a B767-300ER.)
were thus permitted to start operations. There was a nervous wait over some months on who would then be granted the monopoly; instead, both airlines are to continue service. Peau Vavau have stated officially that they will support the government's stand, and Airlines Tonga state they are very happy with Cabinet's decision.
Peau Vavau operate a Convair
subleased from Reef Air leased from New Zealand's Air Chathams
to Haapai
and Vavau
, and a Twin Otter to Niuafoou
and Niuatoputapu
. Airlines Tonga operate Harbin Y-12
aircraft.
There is no public bus service to the airport, but several hostels and hotels in Nukualofa meet flights and taxis are available.
Under Tongan law, Fuaamotu International Airport is closed on Sundays — only to be opened in distress, after the minister's approval.
or American Samoa
also operate from Vavau Island's Lupepauu Airport from time to time. Airlines Tonga plans to restart this route using a Dash-8 type aircraft later this year.
Until recently (August 2006), Peau Vavaʻu used a DC-3 on their domestic routes, but this has recently been replaced with a Jetstream 41. Airlines Tonga use ex Air Fiji Harbin Y12s, and an Embraer Bandeirante.
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
in Tonga
Tonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
. It is on the south side of the main island, Tongatapu
Tongatapu
Tongatapu is the main island of the Kingdom of Tonga and the location of its capital Nukualofa. It is located in Tonga's southern island group, to which it gives its name, and is the country's most populous island, with approximately 71,260 residents , 70.5% of the national population...
, 35 km from the capital of Tonga, Nukualofa
Nukuʻalofa
Nukualofa is the capital of the Kingdom of Tonga. It is located on the north coast of the island of Tongatapu, in the southern most island group of Tonga.-Mythological origins:...
. Although named after the nearby village of Fuaamotu, which is on Tungī
Tungi
* Tungi: a local name for the prickly or cactus pear, Opuntia ficus-indica.*TUNGI 'the spirit of St Helena Island' a locally made spirit from the pricky pear fruit * Tongi , Bangladesh* Tungi, India...
's (the king's) estate, in reality the airfield is located on the Tui Pelehake
Tu'ipelehake
The Tuipelehake is the 2nd highest ranking traditional chiefly title in Tonga, in the absence of the Tui Faleua title, Tuipelehake is second only to the King in rank...
's estate, closer to the village of Pelehake (which did not yet exist as a village during the early aviation days).
Fuaamotu was originally built in 1942 by a civilian contractor for the US Army. It was intended as a World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
heavy bomber field, and had three coral-surfaced runways. In the late 1970s it was expanded to permit jet aircraft to use the runways. Fuaamotu is now suitable for up to Boeing 767 size aircraft, but remains closed to larger jets (e.g., 747s).
Fuaamotu International Airport is equipped with VOR/DME (114.5) and NDB (245) navigational facilities. No ILS
Instrument Landing System
An instrument landing system is a ground-based instrument approach system that provides precision guidance to an aircraft approaching and landing on a runway, using a combination of radio signals and, in many cases, high-intensity lighting arrays to enable a safe landing during instrument...
is available. Lighting is provided for the runway, apron, and taxiway. International airlines with regular services to Fuaamotu include Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand Limited is the national airline and flag carrier of New Zealand. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, the airline operates scheduled passenger flights to 26 domestic destinations and 24 international destinations in 15 countries across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania, and is...
, Air Pacific
Air Pacific
Air Pacific Limited, Fiji's international airline, operates international and domestic services around the Pacific and to North America and Hong Kong. It is also a partner with the frequent flyer programmes of Qantas, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines...
and Pacific Blue Airlines. Air Pacific fly Boeing 737
Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
-800s from Nadi
Nadi
Nadi is the third-largest conurbation in Fiji. It is located on the western side of the main island of Viti Levu, and had a population of 42,284 at the most recent census, in 2007. Nadi is multiracial with many of its inhabitants Indian or Fijian, along with a large transient population of foreign...
and Suva
Suva
Suva features a tropical rainforest climate under the Koppen climate classification. The city sees a copious amount of precipitation during the course of the year. Suva averages 3,000 mm of precipitation annually with its driest month, July averaging 125 mm of rain per year. In fact,...
. Air New Zealand flies Airbus A320
Airbus A320
The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
s, Boeing 737-300s, and Boeing 767-300ERs from Auckland. Pacific Blue have begun flying a Boeing 737-800 to Fuaamotu from Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
and Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
.
Air Traffic Control
Fuaamotu has air traffic control at times of scheduled international flight movements, but most of the time a Flight Information ServiceFlight Information Service
A flight information service is a form of air traffic service which is available to any aircraft within a flight information region , as agreed internationally by ICAO....
is provided. The tower is contactable on 118.5, and Ground on 120.9. Outside of the hours of service at Fuaamotu a limited FIS is available via Nadi.
Runway 11/29: (Elev 91 ft/28m) PCN 45 FBXT (Flexible pavement, medium subgrade strength, medium tyre pressure (1500kPa), technical evaluation completed). Runway End Identifier Lights are installed at each end of the runway, as are T-VASI glidescope indicators. Low Intensity Runway Lighting
Runway Edge Lights
Runway Edge Lights are used to outline the edges of runways during periods of darkness or restricted visibility conditions. These light systems are classified according to the intensity they are capable of producing:...
is provided, and a simple Low Intensity Lighting Approach Lighting System
Instrument Landing System
An instrument landing system is a ground-based instrument approach system that provides precision guidance to an aircraft approaching and landing on a runway, using a combination of radio signals and, in many cases, high-intensity lighting arrays to enable a safe landing during instrument...
is installed on Runway 11.
Size restrictions
Pavement Classification Number
The Pavement Classification Number is an International Civil Aviation Organization standard used in combination with the Aircraft Classification Number to indicate the strength of a runway, taxiway or airport ramp...
(PCN) of 59, therefore is not allowed to takeoff with full load. The same can be said of a Boeing 747-400, which theoretically could take off and land at Fuaamotu length-wise, but needs a PCN of 66, and would therefore damage the runway severely in the process. (A B747-400 weighs over twice as much as a B767-300ER.)
Domestic services
On April 28, 2006, the Tongan Government ended their controversial one-airline policy that had been in favour of Peau Vavaʻu. Two airlines are now permitted to serve the country. Previously, Peau Vavau had the monopoly, but were unable to fulfill the terms of their contract to serve all the islands named in it. Airlines TongaAirlines Tonga
Airlines Tonga was an airline based in Nukualofa, Tonga. It operates services within Tonga and flights are operated on its behalf by Air Fiji.-History:...
were thus permitted to start operations. There was a nervous wait over some months on who would then be granted the monopoly; instead, both airlines are to continue service. Peau Vavau have stated officially that they will support the government's stand, and Airlines Tonga state they are very happy with Cabinet's decision.
Peau Vavau operate a Convair
Convair
Convair was an American aircraft manufacturing company which later expanded into rockets and spacecraft. The company was formed in 1943 by the merger of Vultee Aircraft and Consolidated Aircraft, and went on to produce a number of pioneering aircraft, such as the Convair B-36 bomber, and the F-102...
subleased from Reef Air leased from New Zealand's Air Chathams
Air Chathams
Air Chathams Limited is a commuter airline based in Te One, the Chatham Islands, New Zealand. It was established in 1986 and operates scheduled passenger services between the Chatham Islands and the North and South islands of New Zealand, as well as local charters. Its main base is Chatham Islands...
to Haapai
Ha'apai
Haapai is a group of islands, islets, reefs and shoals in the central part of the Kingdom of Tonga, with the Tongatapu group to the south and the Vavau group to the north. Seventeen of the Haapai islands are populated....
and Vavau
Vava'u
Vavau is an island chain of one large island and 40 smaller ones in Tonga. According to tradition Maui fished both Tongatapu and Vavau but put a little more effort into the former. Vavau rises 204 meters above sea level...
, and a Twin Otter to Niuafoou
Niuafo'ou
Niuafoou is the most northerly island in the kingdom of Tonga. It is a volcanic rim island of 15 km² and with a population of 650 in 2006.-Geography:...
and Niuatoputapu
Niuatoputapu
For the 2009 tsunami, see the main article: 2009 Samoa tsunami.Niuatoputapu is an island in the island nation of Tonga, Pacific Ocean. Its name means sacred island. Older European names for the island are Traitors island or Keppel island.Niuatoputapu is located in the north of the country,...
. Airlines Tonga operate Harbin Y-12
Harbin Y-12
-See also:-Bibliography:* Taylor, John W R. . Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-89. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group, 1988. ISBN 07106-0867-5....
aircraft.
There is no public bus service to the airport, but several hostels and hotels in Nukualofa meet flights and taxis are available.
Under Tongan law, Fuaamotu International Airport is closed on Sundays — only to be opened in distress, after the minister's approval.
Lupepauu Airport service
Some short-haul international flights such as to FijiFiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
or American Samoa
American Samoa
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa...
also operate from Vavau Island's Lupepauu Airport from time to time. Airlines Tonga plans to restart this route using a Dash-8 type aircraft later this year.
Until recently (August 2006), Peau Vavaʻu used a DC-3 on their domestic routes, but this has recently been replaced with a Jetstream 41. Airlines Tonga use ex Air Fiji Harbin Y12s, and an Embraer Bandeirante.
Airlines and destinations
External links
- Brief History of Fuaamotu Airport (Tonga Ministry of Civil Aviation)
- Peau Vavau
- Matangi Tonga