Peau Vavaʻu


Peau Vavaʻu Ltd was an airline based at the Pacific Royale Hotel in Nukualofa, Tongatapu, Tonga. It operated domestic services. Its main base is Fuaamotu International Airport, Tongatapu, with hubs at Lifuka Island Airport and Vavau International Airport.

Code data

Peau Vavaʻu's office opened for operations on 27 May 2004 with Chairman of the Board and 50% owner, the former HRH Crown Prince Tupouto'a, who became George Tupou V, and Director Mr Joseph Ramanlal, also a 50% owner. Secretary to the board is Mr Soane Ramanlal who is also the CEO of Tonga's Shoreline Companies Limited.
The first flight took place on 9 June 2004, with a Douglas DC-3 leased from Pionair Adventure Ltd. Pionair Adventures Ltd acquired an FAOC to operate the DC-3. A second DC-3 arrived by Christmas 2004, when Peau Vavau purchased both DC-3s from Pionair Adventures Limited. At this time Peau Vavau sought to upgrade its fleet, and negotiations began with Reef Air NZ, and Convair operations commenced, flying to Vavau and Haapai from 3 May 2005. The Convair was owned by Air Chathams of New Zealand, which Reef Air leased, and Peau Vavau Limited subleased.
Flights were temporarily suspended in November 2006 when their corporate headquarters were destroyed by a fire. Flights were planned to resume on 14 May 2007.
Peau Vava’u was previously provided with the only domestic operating license after the bankruptcy of the former carrier Royal Tongan Airlines. The airline operating license was issued to Peau Vava’u after the Tongan cabinet was given instruction to ensure to make a "one domestic airline policy" was passed in the parliament. Soon thereafter it was awarded to the Kings airline and saw the removal of its competition airline Fly Niu.
After a fire destroyed one of its offices, the Peau Vava’u flights were put on hold. Eventually the Ministry of Aviation granted additional licenses to other carriers. Peau Vava’u never flew again and its license was eventually revoked.

Destinations

Peau Vavaʻu operated scheduled flights to Tongatapu, Haʻapai, and Vavaʻu.

Fleet

The Peau Vavau fleet included the following aircraft: