Fua'amotu International Airport

Fuaʻamotu International Airport (TBU), Tonga’s main gateway on Tongatapu island, first opened as a civil airstrip in the 1940s and today operates from a single compact passenger terminal serving regional jets and turboprops. Small but vital, Fuaʻamotu is the primary entry point for Nukuʻalofa (roughly a 20 km drive), with regular taxis, shuttles and rental cars linking the capital and resorts; domestic flights connect to Vavaʻu and Haʻapai. The airport functions as a base for local carriers such as Lulutai Airlines and sees international services from airlines like Air New Zealand and Fiji Airways. Travelers find fares reasonable for short hops, though longer international routes can be pricier.