Tuvalu: Risky landings, runway of Funafuti International Airport

[@COYM_1908]

Man, I understand your concern, I really do. But it seems to me like they managed it pretty well. Besides, Tuvalu has such limited land area that a mile-long runway needs to be used for other things as well. It is what it is, I guess. Nothing's perfect. At least they have an airport.

[@VicStefanu]

Ok, thank you for your comments!

[@reilly146]

I found that island on google maps when I was bored and I am obsessed with it now

[@VicStefanu]

It is a fascinating place.. Thank you for viewing my videos..

[@frank.8823]

Same lol

[@thebigbadshark5645]

Ah, no problems Vic! That airstrip has been like that for some 75 years and many planes from airlines like Air Marshall Islands, Air Tungaru, SeaBee Air, Air Pacific (now Fiji Airways), private and various war planes have used that airstrip without any issue. It's part of the unique experience visitors to our shores take home with them. My favorite part of the landing at that airstrip is when the plane descends so low that i feel it will land on the reef, then suddenly the landing gear touch the tarmac. That never fail to get my heartbeat increase a wee bit...Hahaha

[@VicStefanu]

lol.. thank you for your comments my friend!

[@thebigbadshark5645]

@@VicStefanu you are very welcome! I like watching your videos. Keep them coming. cheers!

[@sherwinbalanquit4696]

Oo dilikado nga, peru salagay ng isang maliit na bansang Isla sa gitna ng pasipiko ay iba, syempre ito lang ang malawak nalugar na pweding gawing palaroan ng mga bata at iba pang mga aktibidadis na pweding gawin, peru seguro naman alam nila ang schedule ng pag lipad at pagdating ng mga eroplano, alam nila Kong kaylan pwedi at hindi pwede,. Ganon lang yon, at may mga otoridad naman seguro naman diyan na magbabawal sa mga tao pag may paparating at lilipad na eroplano, Kaya ok lang yan kaibigan😁✌️

[@AnotherAmateur]

When I was a child in Honolulu, we'd go to the airport to watch the planes take off and land. The passenger terminal was down on the tarmack. The prop planes would taxi right up to the passenger area and stop about 100 feet away. Then passengers would climb down stairs to the ground and boarding passengers would climb up the stairs into the airliners. It got loud sometimes but we thought it was great fun to see. How you managed to extend a minute or two of "drama" into a 16 minute video was amazing. My advice is to show more and tell less.

[@VicStefanu]

Thank you for your comments and advice...

[@sloth2286]

Wow ! Amazing island . Great and interesting video :) Keep it up.

[@VicStefanu]

Hello and thank you for viewing my videos!!

[@faloaye4528]

Thanks Vic for your film's i haven't been back to Tuvalu for nearly 30 years. And by watching this its so beautiful to see Tuvalu again its a great change as i remembered n i also watched nearly most of your film's thank you Vic once again.

[@VicStefanu]

Hello my friend and thank you for your comments and for viewing my videos!!

[@Solarxstorm]

I love your videos. About the fence closing them off for a mile inconvenience. Fences can be installed with gates for easy access.

[@VicStefanu]

They tried to put fences around the airport in Kiribati (Pacific Ocean) and the locals took the fences down in a month...

[@fjphoto23]

This is why only prop planes are able to land there. They are not wild dogs. They are just homeless or have owners who don't look after them properly. This is common in the Pacific Islands.

[@VicStefanu]

I see, thank you for all this information..

[@talmol2243]

It is worrying to foreigners but to the locals it's just a normal day no one worries dogs and human beings are aware of the plane landings. Since 1942 never had an accident health and safety don't apply here.

[@VicStefanu]

+Tal Mol Thank you for letting us know...

[@sadiewoods4800]

Besides the schedule. I watch Drew Binsky and I do not think they start heading to the runway until about 4-5 PM Eastern time.

[@VicStefanu]

Hello, thank you for watching my videos!! 👍👍👍

[@sadiewoods4800]

I have not been but I think that these issues are all under control. I have not heard an accident happen ever.

[@mcfrdmn]

Very interesting video of Tuvalu's International Airport and the heavy risks involved in operating the airport. Vic, thinking about the risks, are there any statistics kept about any accidents, or near misses when the planes land at the airport. Have any animals ever been hit by a landing plane, or people been hit/injured by a plane landing, and if any motorcycles having been struck by a landing plane. I was also thinking, just how many passengers fly into Tuvalu on each flight coming in from Fiji? Is flying this route even profitable for the airline flying this route. I am assuming that there is only one route that can be taken to get to Tuvaku, and that would be to and from Suva in the Fiji islands to Tuvalu, and to go anywhere else connecting flights would have to be taken. Just how did all these dogs come to Tuvalu, and end up as stray dogs.

[@VicStefanu]

+Michael Friedman It os very profitable for Fiji Link (the airline) since the planes are full with locals (and no tourists), I am not sure if there have been any accidents but it is a matter of time before something happens...

[@keanekeakea7132]

+Vic Stefanu - World Travels and Adventures NO ACCIDENTS AT ALL.. animals n people bk home r not as stupid lols .. by the way i reckon if thrs drugs been going bk in the island for sure more accidents .

[@darkcrystal438]

Ha ha mist people don't realise people sleep on the runway too! I've been 3 times now.. the landing is all good.. people there have common sense.. there won't be any issues going to happen. start introducing rules and people stop thinking for themselves. the place is stunning - don't call it a problem when it isn't please. there is a siren that sounds about 10mins before landing, then another about 2mins before - no one is on the runway then. as for the dogs, half of them were gotten rid of about 10 months ago. Also about 10 months ago the runway was redone and is just fine.

[@VicStefanu]

Thank you for the update and for viewing my videos!!

[@fadhili2293]

I also don't like the comment of this man. That's not a problem at all because the schedule.

[@sterlinggardiner4389]

Its like "plane day" in any Out Island community in the Bahamas. . . the air ports are tiny and a celebration for the people who don't get to do many things. . .so plane day is an event. . .they will be safe!!

[@mr.manasethefox7129]

The dogs, the pigs, the cats, the field mice etc...all knows not to cross the runway when plane is coming and going. So far no accident since runway inception. The people are reactive. Until then, enjoy the unique runway of Tuvalu.

[@VicStefanu]

Thank you for viewing my videos!!

[@janetbutler2989]

Beautiful Funafuti Airport these people used to their Airfields and know the schedules of flights. Natural lifestyles...

[@VicStefanu]

Ok, thank you! 👍👍👍

[@judec.1962]

Amazing Island.

[@VicStefanu]

+JCItchyFeet Chuladakorn It is a fascinating place, thank you for viewing my videos!!

[@charleslunn2035]

They can put up a fence and at three points of the runway the two ends and end of runway and maybe two in middle. have big gates that can be opened for access to both sides. Then the day planes landing . These gates are closed off by a certain time for plane to land and takeoff. Then gates can be reopened. The airport need to set up a sirene also. Airport entrance???

[@VicStefanu]

When I was there I was told that once they tried to put up a fence (they tried this in Kiribati as well) and it did not work out.. there is a sirene that is used just before the plane lands.. the problem is the animals, they are running all over the place and on the runway as well..

[@yahayaaminuuba1697]

Amazing island. Great from Nigeria

[@VicStefanu]

Thanks for watching

[@hazazizie1442]

Is there any flight would fly from KLIA to Funafuti airport? I would love to go there, the ocean, island is stunning! and i just wondering is there any shopping mall, cinema, hotel, cell phone shop, boutique, electronic shop, internet etc. there?

[@VicStefanu]

To get there, you must fly from Fiji and no shopping malls or other such shops exist, this is the unique beauty of this place..

[@nithyamohan1241]

Super brother. Hari prasath, thanjavur,city Tamil nadu,India.

[@VicStefanu]

Thanks for watching! 👍👍👍

[@subashaninadeson3503]

Amazing. A lot of Things to be Upgraded.

[@VicStefanu]

Thank you for viewing my videos!!

[@Danny_ll]

Thanks for the interesting video

[@VicStefanu]

Hello and thank you for viewing my videos!!

[@ronyalefaio]

haha..before when its still grass..we used rocks as goals..and cops used to chased us outside..lol..nice document..thank you

[@VicStefanu]

lol.. I can picture the scenes of the cops chasing you.. thank you for viewing my videos..

[@ronyalefaio]

+Vic Stefanu - World Travels and Adventures no worries..cheers

[@usynnstradler]

i found Tuvalu at the bottom of the GDP by country list.

[@VicStefanu]

Not exactly one of the richest countries in the Pacific but one of the friendliest..

[@klamatsi]

what do you want them to do if the runway cuts through the island , what about Gibraltar

[@VicStefanu]

In Gibraltar, the runway runs across the road and forms a cross with it.. In Tuvalu the runway runs along the coast..

[@RJM1011]

Nice to see Vic thank you. :)

[@VicStefanu]

+Richard Maunder Thank you!

[@jackwilliams7716]

What camera do you use?

[@VicStefanu]

For this video, the SONY a5000

[@Grandpadew]

Amazinng!!

[@VicStefanu]

+Grandpadew Thank you!!

[@ccaammiinniiito2]

@VicStefanu...Why do I seem to have a sense of deja vu on watching this video? I seem to remember once upon a time in your travels you came across children playing on the runway.

[@VicStefanu]

+Jay Young The runways in the Pacific have a special place in the people's lives. Due to lack of space, they become the center of social activities, it is something unique to witness...

[@szesyn]

Interesting but not unique to Tuvalu. Airports in remote locations usually experience this and the people just found ways to get around safely although the risks are always there. When I was in Nepal, our plane had to go around as there were cows on the runway but we landed eventually. I suppose a bigger airport having the same issues will be Gibraltar. There the runways is part of the highway :D

[@VicStefanu]

Hello, thank you for your comments!! 👍👍👍

[@oliwiereb]

They could try to build an underground passageway or tunnel for the people and traffic - its possible; but it also depends on the geology of the island, and most of all money!

[@VicStefanu]

+Oliwier EB It's all sand, it is impossible to build a tunnel!!

[@COYM_1908]

Not realistic at all. Way too costly for flights on two days per week. Tuvalu hasn't got the money even if the geography would allow it, which it doesn't.

[@langinmej12]

No fence?wow freedom lol

[@VicStefanu]

+MIKE LANG Maybe too much freedom??

[@langinmej12]

+Vic Stefanu - World Travels and Adventures Marshall Islands its all fence and there is no houses close to the airport maybe Tuvalu needs fence to keep those wild dog out. :)

[@saipan4208]

I definitely want to go there, I have been to Micronesia, Saipan , Guam, rota.

[@VicStefanu]

Tuvalu is an amazing place.. I hope to go back soon!

[@saipan4208]

@@VicStefanu I plan on going to there, but Palau first.

[@saipan4208]

@@VicStefanu I'm in Seattle now😎 I need heat🌴☀️🏖️

[@VicStefanu]

@@saipan4208 Enjoy Palau and the town of Koror!!

[@saipan4208]

@@VicStefanu question? Where are you now?

[@Cta2006]

The danger of wild animals entering the runway / airstrip is not unike to this airport at Tuvalu. You will find airports with the same dangers several other places in the world. If you go to Svalbard wich above the arctic circle in Norway and land on Longyear airport ( it has both domestic, international and charter flights several times a day ), the pilots need to be on the lookout for wild raindeer ... Pilots landing at such places has made preperations for possible aborted landings and go arounds. The fact that the locals in Tuvalu use the runway for sports and as a sleeping madress is however proabably unike ;-)

[@eletavakai-sio3947]

I just want to go back there

[@VicStefanu]

What an incredible place!

[@lycanrocdusk848]

Vic the aircraft is an ATR 72 500

[@VicStefanu]

Ok, thank you for the correction! 👍👍👍

[@StrawberryCream78]

Have people tv on tuvalu and internet? It only live 10 000 people there

[@zakkireya]

no they do not have both

[@darkcrystal438]

+MKR nallavan (MKR nallavan) there is a place to use Internet.. and there are TV's there too.. no not many have them.

[@zakkireya]

wow that's great ..thanks matt

[@mojee685]

Island way is no heath and safety Vic it is what it is. Hope the thier government do something about after all it is a very narrow island

[@VicStefanu]

Ok, thank you for your comments! 👍👍👍

[@rayap1239]

Why they dont fended around the runway to avoid accidents.

[@VicStefanu]

It they place a fence around the airport, people will not be able to cross from one side of the island to the other..

[@ProbablyAdventurous]

You think dogs are stupid?

[@COYM_1908]

Well, they're certainly not experts in aviation safety, are they?

[@counterpointify]

Incredible. Even worse than the new airport in Berlin :)

[@darkcrystal438]

good video though, and absolutely no disrespect. hot there huh..

[@VicStefanu]

No problem, thank you again!!

[@Liemannencc63]

Oh yeah yeah

[@VicStefanu]

Hello, thank you for viewing my videos!!

[@StrawberryCream78]

havent they a terminal?

[@VicStefanu]

It is a small building, you can see it at the end of the video after the airplane lands in the other video about Tuvalu..

[@oliwiereb]

WOW

[@deborahbarker-manase2039]

it's a nice video. hope no accident from dogs

[@VicStefanu]

+Deborah Barker-Manase I hope that they can keep the dogs away.. thank you for viewing my videos!!

[@shordymathewevan8416]

This airport is not safe the government need to make a safety way for airplane like make a wire around the land ..from all animals

[@VicStefanu]

A fence would be a very safe way for the runway.. thank you for viewing my videos!!

[@meee7771]

ONE ISLAND WITH 1 RUNWAY. DO THEY REALLY HAVE TO CALL IT 'INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT?'

[@VicStefanu]

+Hasim Verty It is designated at an Int'l Airport because it receives flights from outside the country of origin...

[@COYM_1908]

It is international by definition, since it receives flights from another country.

[@nazhifah]

Indonesia...BALI

[@VicStefanu]

👍👍👍

[@matthewalford2762]

For goodness sakes build a fence.....

[@VicStefanu]

+Muddy Shoe They need a fence, that is for sure...

[@antjetautkus5506]

lol lol its pacifika style...entertainment...lo lo lol...:)

[@blaramazozi]

not dissimilar from parts of Africa...............

[@VicStefanu]

Thank you for viewing my videos!!

[@ozlemcelik7325]

🇹🇷

[@VicStefanu]

👍👍👍

[@muneebsafdar1355]

Hi

[@VicStefanu]

Hello...

[@muneebsafdar1355]

Vic Stefanu - World Travels and Adventures