Peau Vava'u
Encyclopedia
Peau Vavau Ltd was an airline
based at the Pacific Royale Hotel in Nukualofa
, Tongatapu
, Tonga
. It operated domestic services. Its main base is Fuaamotu International Airport
, Tongatapu, with hubs at Lifuka Island Airport
and Vavau International Airport
.
, and Director Mr Joseph Ramanlal, also a 50% owner. Secretary to the board is Mr Soane Ramanlal who is also the CEO of Tonga's Shoreline Companies Limited.
The first flight took place on 9 June 2004, with a Douglas DC-3
leased from Pionair Adventure Ltd (Christchurch
, New Zealand
). Pionair Adventures Ltd acquired an FAOC (Foreign Air Operator Certificate) to operate the DC-3. A second DC-3 arrived by Christmas 2004, when Peau Vavau purchased both DC-3s from Pionair Adventures Limited. At this time Peau Vavau sought to upgrade its fleet, and negotiations began with Reef Air NZ, and Convair operations commenced, flying to Vavau and Haapai from 3 May 2005. The Convair was owned by Air Chathams
of New Zealand, which Reef Air leases, and Peau Vavau Limited subleases.
Flights were temporarily suspended in November 2006 when their corporate headquarters were destroyed by fire. Flights were planned to resume on 14 May 2007.
Peau Vava’u (owned by the King of Tonga) was previously provided with the only domestic operating license after the bankruptcy of the former carrier Royal Tongan Airlines. The airline operating license was issued to Peau Vava’u after the Tongan cabinet (selected by the King) was given instruction to ensure to make a “one domestic airline policy” was passed in the parliament. Soon thereafter it was awarded to the Kings airline and saw the removal of its competition airline Fly Niu.
After fire destroyed one of its offices, the Peau Vava’u flights were put on hold. Eventually the Ministry of Aviation granted additional licenses to other carriers. Peau Vava’u never flew again and its license was eventually revoked.
, and Vavau.
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
based at the Pacific Royale Hotel in 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:...
, 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...
, 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 operated domestic services. Its main base is Fuaamotu International Airport
Fua'amotu International Airport
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...
, Tongatapu, with hubs at Lifuka Island Airport
Lifuka Island Airport
Lifuka Island Airport , also known as Salote Pilolevu Airport, is an airport on Lifuka in Tonga. The airport is located north of the capital Pangai. Chathams Pacific offers domestic air services to the airport connecting Haapai to Tongatapu and Vava'u. Flight time is approximately 40 minutes to...
and Vavau International Airport
Vava'u International Airport
Vavau International Airport , also known as Lupepauu International Airport, is an airport in Vavau, Tonga.Vava’u is Tonga’s main tourism hub, where some 34 islands provide both dramatic scenery and a world renown center for water related activities; sailing, fishing, diving...
.
Code data
- IATAInternational Air Transport AssociationThe International Air Transport Association is an international industry trade group of airlines headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, where the International Civil Aviation Organization is also headquartered. The executive offices are at the Geneva Airport in SwitzerlandIATA's mission is to...
Code: 3O - ICAOInternational Civil Aviation OrganizationThe International Civil Aviation Organization , pronounced , , is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth...
Code: PVU - Callsign: PEAU
History
Peau Vavau's office opened for operations on 27 May 2004 with Chairman of the Board and 50% owner, the former HRH Crown Prince Tupouto'a, now George Tupou VGeorge Tupou V
George Tupou V , is the current King of Tonga.-Early life:...
, and Director Mr Joseph Ramanlal, also a 50% owner. Secretary to the board is Mr Soane Ramanlal who is also the CEO of Tonga's Shoreline Companies Limited.
The first flight took place on 9 June 2004, with a Douglas DC-3
Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
leased from Pionair Adventure Ltd (Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
). Pionair Adventures Ltd acquired an FAOC (Foreign Air Operator Certificate) to operate the DC-3. A second DC-3 arrived by Christmas 2004, when Peau Vavau purchased both DC-3s from Pionair Adventures Limited. At this time Peau Vavau sought to upgrade its fleet, and negotiations began with Reef Air NZ, and Convair operations commenced, flying to Vavau and Haapai from 3 May 2005. The Convair was owned by 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...
of New Zealand, which Reef Air leases, and Peau Vavau Limited subleases.
Flights were temporarily suspended in November 2006 when their corporate headquarters were destroyed by fire. Flights were planned to resume on 14 May 2007.
Peau Vava’u (owned by the King of Tonga) was previously provided with the only domestic operating license after the bankruptcy of the former carrier Royal Tongan Airlines. The airline operating license was issued to Peau Vava’u after the Tongan cabinet (selected by the King) was given instruction to ensure to make a “one domestic airline policy” was passed in the parliament. Soon thereafter it was awarded to the Kings airline and saw the removal of its competition airline Fly Niu.
After fire destroyed one of its offices, the Peau Vava’u flights were put on hold. Eventually the Ministry of Aviation granted additional licenses to other carriers. Peau Vava’u never flew again and its license was eventually revoked.
Destinations
Peau Vavau operated scheduled flights to Tongatapu, HaapaiHa'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.
Fleet
The Peau Vavau fleet included the following aircraft:- BAe Jetstream 41
- Beechcraft Queen Air
- Douglas DC-3Douglas DC-3The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
among the last DC-3 in regular scheduled service worldwide