Peau Vavaʻu

Peau Vavaʻu Ltd was an airline based at the Pacific Royale Hotel in Nukuʻalofa, Tongatapu, Tonga.[1] It operated domestic services. Its main base is Fuaʻamotu International Airport, Tongatapu, with hubs at Lifuka Island Airport and Vavaʻu International Airport.[2]

Fua'amoto International Airport

Peau Vavaʻu
IATA ICAO Callsign
3O PVU Peau
Founded27 May 2004
Commenced operations6 June 2004
Ceased operationsNovember 2007
Operating basesFua'amotu International Airport
Hubs
HeadquartersNukuʻalofa, Tongatapu, Tonga
Key people
  • George Tupou V Owner
  • Joseph Ramanlal Owner Director
  • Soane Ramanlal Secretary

Code data

History

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.[3]

The first flight took place on 9 June 2004, with a Douglas DC-3 leased from Pionair Adventure Ltd (Christchurch, New Zealand). Pionair Adventures Ltd acquired an FAOC (Foreign Air Operator Certificate) to operate the DC-3. A second DC-3 arrived by Christmas 2004, when Peau Vavaʻu purchased both DC-3s from Pionair Adventures Limited. At this time Peau Vavaʻu sought to upgrade its fleet, and negotiations began with Reef Air NZ, and Convair operations commenced, flying to Vavaʻu and Haʻapai from 3 May 2005. The Convair was owned by Air Chathams of New Zealand, which Reef Air leased, and Peau Vavaʻu Limited subleased.[3]

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.[4]

Peau Vava’u (owned by the King of Tonga) 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 (selected by the King) 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.[5]

Fleet

The Peau Vavaʻu fleet included the following aircraft:[3]

References
  1. "Contact Information for Peau Vavaʻu." Peau Vavaʻu. 12 June 2007. Retrieved on 20 January 2011. "Peau Vava'u Limited Pacific Royale Hotel Taufa'ahau Road Nuku'alofa Kingdom of Tonga"
  2. "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 10 April 2007. p. 62.
  3. Peau Vava'u History (website) Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Peau Vav'u News (website)". Archived from the original on 16 February 2007. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
  5. "Peau Vavaʻu Schedules (website)". Archived from the original on 18 February 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
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