Air Tuvalu
Founded2023 (2023)[1]
Ceased operations2024
HubsFunafuti International Airport
Fleet size1
Destinations3
Parent companyGovernment of Tuvalu (100%)
HeadquartersFunafuti, Tuvalu
Key peopleChristopher Langton
Employees25
Websiteairtuvalu.net (dead link)

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

Air Tuvalu fleet
Aircraft In service Orders Passengers Notes
T V Total
de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter T2-TV8 1 — 16 Total Fleet: 1

Destinations

Country Village Airport Notes
TuvaluFunafuti (Vaiaku)Funafuti International AirportBase
TuvaluLoluaNanumea AirfieldService Beginning October 2023
TuvaluSavaveNukufetau AirfieldService Beginning October 2023

References

  1. 1 2 "Air Tuvalu aircraft arrives". RNZ. 11 May 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  2. ↑ "First Tuvalu Government-Owned Aircraft Lands At Funafuti International Airport". Simple Flying. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  3. ↑ "Why this plane is an historic moment for tiny Tuvalu". Stuff. 2023-05-12. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  4. ↑ "Tuvalu to receive US$23million to enhance its international airport and runway". PINA. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  5. ↑ "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.
  6. ↑ "Air Tuvalu". Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  7. ↑ "It was once possible to count all of the employees on one of the photo slides on the website". Air Tuvalu. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  8. ↑ "Air Tuvalu Airline Profile | CAPA". centreforaviation.com. Retrieved 2024-01-15.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.