Stakeholders have engaged authorities in Vanuatu over the poor condition of Port Vila Bauerfield International Airport's main runway 11/29.
Last week, Air New Zealand (NZ, Auckland International) and Qantas (QF, Sydney Kingsford Smith) announced they were suspending with immediate effect, all flights to Port Vila, as well as codeshares with Air Vanuatu (NF, Port Vila), until the track has been rendered satisfactory for commercial use. Fellow Australian operator Virgin Australia (VA, Brisbane International) has elected to maintain its flights to Vanuatu for the meantime.
Following the announcements, Air Vanuatu CEO Joseph Laloyer along with shareholder' representatives, senior management and pilots met with Airports Vanuatu Limited (AVL) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu (CAAV) to map out a plan to allow for the continued use of jet aircraft at the airport.
Among the interim measures being taken while the runway is permanently repaired include a daily 'sweeping' of the pavement plus regular inspections for debris both prior to and after take-off. New obstacle and runway surveys will be undertaken while 200m of runway has been earmarked for urgent repair.
Air Vanuatu currently operates one B737-800 (leased from Transavia Airlines (HV, Amsterdam Schiphol)), two ATR72-500s, two DHC-6-300s, and two Y12Es on flights around Vanuatu as well as to the neighbouring South Pacific islands of Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia.
Solomons - Solomon Airlines (IE, Honiara) has announced in the meantime that it will continue to operate its weekly Honiara-Port Vila-Nadi service and that it has concluded that "the runway is safe."
