Fiji Airways is the only airline that serves the small South Pacific island nation of Tuvalu. Formerly referred to as the Ellice Islands, Tuvalu is situated between Hawaii and Australia. The country consists of three reef islands and six atolls, located west of the International Date Line.
As the second-least populous nation in the world, following the Vatican, Tuvalu has a total land area of just 10 square miles and a permanent population of approximately 10,600 residents. Fiji Link, the regional division of Fiji Airways, operates an ATR 72-600 aircraft on its route between Fiji and Tuvalu, making the journey three times a week from Suva, with a travel time of only two hours.
Upon returning to Suva, passengers are offered several connecting flights to Nadi Airport, facilitating access to the extensive Fiji Airways network. Funafuti International Airport (FUN), the main airport in the nation, is distinctive due to the limited space on the island. During unexpected flight schedules, the runway is often used for sports and community events. A siren alerts residents when an aircraft is landing, warning them to steer clear of the 5,000-foot paved runway.
Historically, Tuvalu’s airport accommodated two additional international airlines in the past. Air Marshall Islands used to operate a Hawker Siddeley HS 748 until 1999, while Air Kiribati provided a weekly service with its Bombardier Dash 8 100 until September 2021.