Airport type Public Elevation AMSL 236 ft / 72 m 5,593 1,705 Code VAV | Location Vavaʻu, Tonga 08/26 5,593 Address Tonga Elevation 72 m | |
 | ||
Operator Ministry of Civil Aviation Similar Tongan Beach Resort, Mystic Sands Beachfro, Reef Resort, Mounu Island Resort, Twin View Motel | ||
Vavaʻu International Airport (IATA: VAV, ICAO: NFTV), also known as Lupepauʻu International Airport, is an airport in Vavaʻu, Tonga.
Vava’u is Tonga’s main tourism hub, where some 34 islands provide both dramatic scenery and a world-renowned center for water related activities; sailing, fishing, diving. In season (July - October) humpback whales migrate north to mate and calf in the warm waters of Vava’u providing spectacular sights for visitors as well as opportunities to swim with whales.
The airport is located 10 km (6.2 mi) north of the capital Neiafu.
Vava'u is an international airport however scheduled international flights no longer operate with all such flights arriving in Tongatapu. Charters and private aircraft may still use the International facilities at Vava'u airport by contacting Tonga Airports Ltd.
Domestic air services are operated by 'Real Tonga which operates all domestic air services in Tonga. They generally run their MA60 aircraft on this route; however, due to the controversy generated by safety concerns, the airline announced in June 2014 that they will begin using Jetstream 32 aircraft on the route instead.
Less frequent services connect Vava’u to Ha’apai, Niuafo’ou and Niuatoputapu. Flight time is 50 minutes to Tongatapu, 30 minutes to Ha’apai and a little over one hour to both Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’u.