Whitegrass Airport (NVVW)
Medium airport · Tanna Island, Tafea, Vanuatu
Airport data
| Name | Whitegrass Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | NVVW |
| IATA | TAH |
| Elevation | 19 ft (6 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 19°27'18" E 169°13'26" -19.45510, 169.22400 |
| Location | Tanna Island, Tafea, Vanuatu |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/33 | 4,035 ft (1230 m) | 98 ft | ASP | No |
Whitegrass Airport at a glance
Whitegrass Airport is a medium airport in Tanna Island, Tafea, Vanuatu, known to airline systems as TAH. The field elevation of 19 ft (6 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at NVVW are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 15/33, offers 4,035 ft (1230 m) of asp surface, without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 15 points roughly 150° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for NVVW shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Whitegrass Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Bauerfield International Airport | NVVV | 217 km (117 NM) |
| Tiga Airport | NWWA | 235 km (127 NM) |
| Lifou Airport | NWWL | 254 km (137 NM) |
| Maré Airport | NWWR | 257 km (139 NM) |
| Ouvéa Airport | NWWV | 307 km (166 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Whitegrass Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 19 ft field elevation of Whitegrass Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 4 airports and airfields we list for Vanuatu — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Whitegrass Airport
What is the ICAO code of Whitegrass Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Whitegrass Airport is NVVW, and its IATA code is TAH. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Whitegrass Airport above sea level?
Whitegrass Airport sits at an elevation of 19 feet (6 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Whitegrass Airport located?
The airport lies at -19.4551, 169.2240 — in Tanna Island, Tafea, Vanuatu, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Bauerfield International Airport, about 217 km away.
Does NVVW publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for NVVW appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Whitegrass Airport?
Whitegrass Airport has one runway. The longest, 15/33, measures 4,035 ft (1230 m) with a ASP surface.