Fiji Airways is the only airline operating flights to the small South Pacific Island nation of Tuvalu. Previously known as the Ellice Islands, Tuvalu is situated between Hawaii and Australia, consisting of three reef islands and six atolls located west of the International Date Line.
Recognized as the second-least populous country after the Vatican, Tuvalu covers a mere 10 square miles and has a permanent population of approximately 10,600 residents. Fiji Link, the regional division of Fiji Airways, operates its ATR 72-600 aircraft to provide service between Fiji and Tuvalu three times a week from Suva. The flight duration is about two hours.
Upon returning to Suva, passengers have access to various feeder flights that connect them to Nadi Airport, facilitating their integration into the larger Fiji Airways network. Funafuti International Airport (FUN) has distinctive characteristics due to the island’s limited space. During unexpected flight arrivals, the runway is utilized for recreational activities, and a siren alerts locals to clear the 5,000-foot paved runway in preparation for landings.
In the past, Tuvalu’s airport accommodated two additional international airlines: Air Marshall Islands, which operated a Hawker Siddeley HS 748 until 1999, and Air Kiribati, which ran a weekly service using a Bombardier Dash 8 100 until September 2021.