Airport type Public Elevation AMSL 63 ft / 19 m Code MTV | Location Aplow 900 2,953 Elevation 19 m | |
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Serves Mota Lava, Torba, Vanuatu | ||
Mota Lava Airport (IATA: MTV, ICAO: NVSA) is an airport located on the island of Mota Lava, one of the Banks Islands in the Torba province in Vanuatu. Also known as Valua Airport, it is located on the eastern end of Motalava island, near the village of Aplow (formerly known as Valuwa).
Characteristics
The airport resides at an elevation of 63 feet (19 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway which is 900 metres (2,953 ft) in length.
Out of the four airports in the Torba province, Valua Airport has the length and reliability advantage. Air Vanuatu coordinates all maintenance and rehabilitation programs of the building facilities, including the 900m runway. Identical to other island aircraft ports throughout the archipelago, safety and security fencing is still a target we must reach.
Valua airport is 12 km away from the island's main center. There may be 1 or 2 4WD vehicles available on some flights, but their availability is not guaranteed. One can also hike one’s way to the island's center by foot, for just under three hours. Water sources are scarce and is not safe for drinking. At times there are road markets, basically non-cooked island crops up for sale, with hot meals being occasionally served. No clinic or restroom can be found near the airport boundary.