Air Vanuatu (NF, Port Vila) could be in line for Australian developmental aid, Australia’s Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Anne Ruston, has said.
According to Radio New Zealand, Ruston said Air Vanuatu’s recently announced growth plan conformed with requirements to tap into her government’s USD1.45 billion development fund, unveiled in November last year.
The assistant minister is meeting Vanuatu’s foreign minister this week following a meeting between the two countries' prime ministers last month.
“It’s one thing to talk about it but it’s another thing to make sure that they’re delivered and we’re absolutely committed to the delivery of this whole program, whole suite of activities and initiatives that are part of the ‘step up’ program,” Ruston said.
In late January, Ni-Vanuatu Prime Minister, Charlot Salwai, unveiled the Pacific island state's "Shared Vision 2030" initiative aimed at expanding its key aviation and tourism sectors. Among the plan's goals is to boost its existing fleet of five aircraft - one B737-800, one ATR72-600, and one ATR72-500 - to thirteen by 2030.
According to the ch-aviation capacity module, Australia is Air Vanuatu's most prominent international market commanding 16.56% (1,398 seats/week) of its overall weekly capacity (8,440 seats/week). It currently serves Sydney Kingsford Smith, Brisbane International, and, from June 18, Melbourne Tullamarine.
