Tau Airport

The airport was rendered obsolete and closed upon the opening of the new, superior Fitiuta Airport (IATA: FTI, ICAO: NSFQ) on the same island. The original Tau Airport was a short, unpaved (coral/grass) runway situated directly on the coast. This location made it highly susceptible to strong crosswinds, flooding from wave action, and coastal erosion. Its limited length and unpaved surface restricted operations to very small aircraft and made landings and takeoffs hazardous. The construction of Fitiuta Airport at a safer, inland location with a longer, paved runway was a major infrastructure upgrade that improved safety, reliability, and allowed for service by larger aircraft.

The site of the former airport is abandoned. The faint outline of the coastal runway is still visible in satellite imagery but it is unmaintained, overgrown with grass and vegetation, and is not used for any aviation purposes. The land has effectively returned to nature, with no remaining infrastructure or official use.

For decades, the Tau Airport was the sole and critical air link for the island of Taʻū, the largest in the Manuʻa Islands group of American Samoa. It provided a vital connection to the main island of Tutuila (Pago Pago). Operations were handled by small inter-island airlines using Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft, most notably the Britten-Norman Islander. The airstrip was essential for passenger travel, mail delivery, cargo, and medical evacuations for the remote community, playing a crucial role in the island's connection to the outside world despite the challenging operational conditions.

There are zero plans or prospects for reopening the old Tau Airport. The island's aviation needs are fully and more safely met by the modern Fitiuta Airport. The original site is considered unsuitable for modern aviation standards due to its location, length, and environmental vulnerabilities. All future investment and development in air travel for Taʻū island is focused on maintaining and improving Fitiuta Airport.