A List of All of the Airports in Tonga
Taking slow cargo ships, ferries or sailing isn’t for everyone. Flights are frequently available to Tonga from overseas, as well as between the country’s island groups. Get out and explore the different island groups of Tonga on the domestic flights available. Or you could start your journey in Tonga on a different island than you realised thanks to the multiple international airports available! We give a quick overview of where you can fly to in Tonga in this guide.
For more flight tips, see The Guide to Domestic Flights Tonga.
How Many Airports Are in Tonga?
Tonga is home to six airports across the five island groups, including two international airports, one airport with a grass airstrip, and one sealed runway with a main road running through it. Needless to say, Tonga’s airports are full of character.
Airports give a good indication of where you can fly to in Tonga. The airports in Tonga include:
- Fua’amotu International Airport (Tongatapu)
- Lupepau’u International Airport (Vava’u)
- Salote Pilolevu Airport (Lifuka Island, Ha’apai)
- Kaufana Airport (‘Eua)
- Mata’aho Airport (Niuatoputapu)
- Kuini Lavinia Airport (Niuafo’ou)
Learn more about the facilities of each airport, as well as which airlines service them in the guide below! And for more fun facts about Tonga, check out 20 Fun Facts About Tonga.
(c) tongapocketguide.comFua’amotu International Airport (TBU)
Fua’amotu International Airport (TBU) is the main airport for international arrivals in Tonga. The airport is located on the island of Tongatapu, approximately 25 km (15 mi) from the capital, Nuku’alofa, a 30-minute drive away. There are separate domestic and international terminals, where access between the two is available by taxi. Learn more about Tongatapu in The Complete Guide to Tongatapu.
International Flights at Fua’amotu Airport
Fua’amotu Airport has a frequent international flight schedule with New Zealand, Australia and Fiji where flights land at Fua’amotu Airport and return to their destination the same day. Check out the airlines that run direct flights to Tongatapu Airport in our guide, Which Airlines Fly Directly to Tonga?
Domestic Flights at Fua’amotu Airport
Fua’amotu Airport is the main hub for interisland travel in Tonga If you need to get to the outer islands of Tonga, then you are likely to need to take it from Tongatapu Airport. There is only one domestic airline servicing these islands, which you can learn more about in our complete guide to Domestic Flights in Tonga: Your Guide to Interisland Flights.
Facilities at Fua’amotu International Terminal
Fua’amotu Airport is the airport in Tonga with the most services, yet is still relatively small. Note that the domestic and international terminals are approximately a 2 km (1.3 mi) drive apart, where access between the two is available by taxi. The facilities at Rarotonga Airport include:
- Duty-free shops
- Gift shops
- Cafe
- Currency exchange
- ATM
- Phone network shops
- Car park
- Taxis
- Toilets.
Facilities at Fua’amotu Domestic Terminal
- Cafe
- Toilets
- Taxis
- Car park.
(c) tongapocketguide.comLupepau’u International Airport (VAV)
Lupepau’u International Airport (VAV), more commonly known as Vava’u International Airport, receives a small number of international arrivals from other South Pacific Islands, as well as domestic flights from Tongatapu, Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou. The airport is located approximately 10 km (6 mi) from Neiafu, which is the largest town in the Vava’u Group. Learn more about Vava’u in The Complete Guide to Vava’u.
International Flights at Lupepau’u Airport
Lupepau’u Airport has a weekly international flight schedule with Fiji, Samoa and American Samoa where flights land at Lupepau’u Airport and return to their destination the same day. Check out the airlines that run direct flights to Vava’u Airport in our guide, Which Airlines Fly Directly to Tonga?
Domestic Flights at Lupepau’u Airport
Lupepau’u Airport has several flights a day to Tongatapu, as well as weekly flights to Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou. There is only one domestic airline servicing these islands, which you can learn more about in our complete guide to Domestic Flights in Tonga: Your Guide to Interisland Flights.
Facilities at Lupepau’u Airport
- Snack shop
- Toilets
- Car park
- Taxis (must be booked).
© TongaPocketGuide.comSalote Pilolevu Airport (HPA)
The gateway to the Ha’apai island group, Salote Pilolevu Airport is located on Lifuka Island, approximately 5 km (3 mi) north of the island group’s administrative centre, Pangai. It has daily flights (except Sundays) to and from Tongatapu. Learn more about Ha’apai in The Complete Guide to Ha’apai.
Facilities at Salote Pilolevu Airport
- Snack shop
- Toilets
- Car park.
© TongaPocketGuide.comKaufana Airport (EUA)
Regular flights operate between Kaufana Airport on ‘Eua Island and Tongatapu with the national airline. The flight between the two airports is said to be the shortest scheduled flight in the world at approximately 7 minutes.
Kaufana Airport is located in the centre of the island among the central villages and about 1.5 km (0.9 mi) from the main service centre in Angaha village. The airport doesn’t have any notable facilities. Learn more about ‘Eua in The Complete Guide to ‘Eua.
© Eunice PongipongMata’aho Airport (NTT)
Mata’aho Airport is the airport connecting the far-flung island of Niuatoputapu to the rest of Tonga. Flights operate once a week between Niuatoputapu and Vava’u through the local airline.
There are no notable facilities at the airport, which consists of an airfield with an unsealed coral strip. Mata’aho Airport sits 3.5 km (2.1 mi) south of Hihifo, which is the island’s main service centre. Learn more about Niuatoputapu in The Complete Guide to The Niuas.
(c) Maailmakansalainen on WikipediaQueen Lavinia Airport (NFO)
Queen Lavinia Airport (Kuini Lavinia Airport) is the airstrip on Niuafo’ou. Flights to the island operate between Niuafo’ou and Vava’u once a week or fortnight. There are no notable facilities at the airport other than a grass-strip airfield. Learn more about Niuafo’ou in The Complete Guide to The Niuas.
More About Where You Can Fly to Tonga
That’s it for our guide on where you can fly to in Tonga. For more about flying in Tonga, take a look at more of our insightful guides:
Finally, for itineraries to inspire you on where to visit, take a look at the following compilations: The Best Tonga Itineraries for 2 Weeks, The Best Tonga Itineraries for 1 Week, The Best Tonga Itineraries for 5 Days and The Best Tonga Itineraries for a Weekend.
