Fiji Airways is the only airline that currently operates services to the small South Pacific nation of Tuvalu. Formerly known as the Ellice Islands, Tuvalu is situated midway between Hawaii and Australia, consisting of three reef islands and six atolls located west of the International Date Line.
As the second least populous country in the world, following the Vatican, Tuvalu covers an area of only 10 square miles and has a resident population of approximately 10,600 people. The regional subsidiary of Fiji Airways, called Fiji Link, uses its ATR 72-600 aircraft to provide service between Fiji and Tuvalu, flying three times a week from Suva, with each flight taking about two hours.
Upon returning to Suva, passengers are offered several connecting flights to Nadi Airport, which links them to the broader Fiji Airways network. Funafuti International Airport (FUN) stands out due to the limited land available on the island. When flights are not scheduled, the runway is often used for local sports and social events. A siren alerts residents when an airplane is approaching to land, advising them to clear the runway, which measures 5,000 feet.
Historically, the airport in this small nation has hosted two other international airlines. Air Marshall Islands operated a Hawker Siddeley HS 748 until 1999, and Air Kiribati provided a weekly service using a Bombardier Dash 8 100 until September 2021.