Air Tuvalu
 | |
| Founded | 2023[1] |
|---|---|
| Ceased operations | 2024 |
| Hubs | Funafuti International Airport |
| Fleet size | 1 |
| Destinations | 3 |
| Parent company | Government of Tuvalu (100%) |
| Headquarters | Funafuti, Tuvalu |
| Key people | Christopher Langton |
| Employees | 25 |
Air Tuvalu was a Tuvaluan airline that was meant to launch domestic flights within Tuvalu beginning in October 2023.
It was the first government owned airline in Tuvalu's history.[1] On May 11, 2023, a 16-seat Twin Otter T2-TV8 was delivered from Honolulu International Airport[2] by CEO Christopher Langton and two co-pilots. After the delivery a ceremony was held on Friday to mark its arrival.[3] The airline was hoping to strengthen intra-island connection between Tuvalu's airports and improve reliable domestic air service. It was headquartered in Funafuti. Tuvalu's government announced restoration plans for its aviation infrastructure and once the outer lying island airstrips would be updated, those destinations would become operational.[4]
In October operations did not commence and no information was given regarding the delay of the airline's startup.[5] The website also stopped being maintained and was displaying a white screen.[6] At its peak the airline had 25 employees.[7] CAPA of which Tuvalu is a member country continues stating on its website that the airline was proposed therefore not actually meant to launch.[8]
Fleet[edit]
| Aircraft | In service | Orders | Passengers | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T | V | Total | ||||
| de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter T2-TV8 | 1 | — | 16 | Total Fleet: 1 | ||
Destinations[edit]
| Country | Village | Airport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuvalu | Funafuti (Vaiaku) | Funafuti International Airport | Base |
| Tuvalu | Lolua | Nanumea Airfield | Service Beginning October 2023 |
| Tuvalu | Savave | Nukufetau Airfield | Service Beginning October 2023 |
References[edit]
- ^ a b Kumar, Sanjeshni (11 May 2023). "Air Tuvalu aircraft arrives". Pacific Islands News Association. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ Bailey, Aaron (13 May 2023). "First Tuvalu Government-Owned Aircraft Lands At Funafuti International Airport". Simple Flying. Archived from the original on 8 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ "Why this plane is an historic moment for tiny Tuvalu". Stuff. 12 May 2023. Archived from the original on 2 January 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ Kumar, Sanjeshni (12 June 2023). "Tuvalu to receive US$23million to enhance its international airport and runway". Pacific Islands News Association. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ "In the about section there is information that no date for a startup has been given. No operations are publicly known either". CAPA Centre for Aviation.
- ^ "Air Tuvalu". Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ "It was once possible to count all of the employees on one of the photo slides on the website". Air Tuvalu. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ "Air Tuvalu Airline Profile | CAPA". centreforaviation.com. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
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