UPDATE 3.35pm: Virgin Australia confirmed it will continue flying to Port Vila after a full review by its safety experts found conditions on the runway to be safe.
In a statement, the airline said it will continue to work with local authorities to ensure the condition of the runway remains safe at all times.
“We continue to monitor the condition of the runway and Virgin Australia will immediately cease all operations between Australia and Port Vila if we are not convinced that the runway is suitable for ongoing operations,” the statement read.
“Safety is always our number one priority and Virgin Australia would never put its passengers, crew or aircraft at risk.”
PUBLISHED 12.00pm: Vanuatu’s government and tourism leaders have rolled out extra precautions at Port Vila Bauerfield International Airport to ensure airlines continue to operate to and from the gateway.
The announcement comes after Air New Zealand suspended services to the destination and Qantas pulled its codeshare with Air Vanuatu.
Air New Zealand said on Friday that it would cease flights due to ongoing concerns about the condition of the runway at Port Vila Bauerfield International Airport.
According to General Manager of Flight Operations, Stephen Hunt, the runway has been “gradually deteriorating” and the decision was made to ensure passenger safety.
“We have taken the difficult decision to suspend services before the situation becomes unsafe.”
Stephen Hunt, Air New Zealand General Manager of Flight Operations
The airline operated one return service on Sunday in order to repatriate customers, while a team of technical experts were deployed to Port Vila to provide additional insight into the runway’s condition.
Customer Care spokesperson, Debbie McKeown, said a comprehensive customer plan is in place to accommodate travellers booked to fly to or from the destination after Sunday.
“All customers will have the option of changing their booking to another Pacific or Tasman destination or receiving a full refund.”
Debbie McKeown, Air New Zealand Customer Care Spokesperson
Passengers who booked directly through the airline will be contacted directly. However, agents will be responsible for contacting their customers to organise alternative arrangements. Click here for Air New Zealand’s customer plan.
Qantas has also decided to suspend its codeshare arrangement with Air Vanuatu effective immediately.
The airline will no longer sell Brisbane and Sydney services to Port Vila on its website or through GDS systems.
An airline spokesperson said the carrier was assessing the situation and stressed passenger safety was a main priority.
A statement from the Civil Aviation of Authority of Vanuatu (CAAV) and Airport Vanuatu Limited (AVL) said Air New Zealand and Qantas’ decision were “more of a precautionary action rather than to declare Bauerfield as being unsafe”.
CAAV Director, Joseph Niel, said extra precautions were now in place until permanent repair begins.
New measures include a daily ‘sweeping’ of the runway, regular inspections to and after takeoff, new obstacle and runway surveys plus a clear marking where the runway requires repairs.
Vanuatu Tourism Authority’s General Manager Linda Kalpoi added that there will be concentrated effort to address any issues “as soon as possible”.
In the meantime, Air Vanuatu, Virgin Australia, Fiji Airways, Solomon Airlines and Aircalin continue to operate from the airport.
For those wanting to try something new, cruise lines are an alternative means of visiting Vanuatu.
The island is visited by P&O, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and more during South Pacific itineraries.
P&O was one the first lines to return to the destination after last year’s ‘monster’ storm. The cruise line also delivered shipments of humanitarian aid post-cyclone. Read on
