With Air Vanuatu’s planes still grounded following the announcement of its liquidation last week, Virgin Australia has increased capacity between Australia and Vanuatu.
Commencing today, Virgin Australia will up flights between Brisbane and Port Vila from three a week to five times per week until at least the end of June.
The carrier also plans to add another seven weekly flights from east coast cities to Vanuatu. In total, this equates to four times as many trips as it currently operates.
A Virgin Australia spokesperson said, “We are saddened to learn of Air Vanuatu being placed into liquidation”.
“We can confirm that at the request of the Australian Government to lift capacity, Virgin Australia will increase the number of services between Brisbane and Vanuatu by two flights per week to five per week for the remainder of May and June,” they said.
According to Virgin, the extra flights are on sale now, with the first incremental service kicking off yesterday (12 May).
VA’s five regular flights will operate on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, utilising its B737-800 aircraft.
On Monday, Friday and Saturday, flight VA53 will depart Brisbane at 10.40am and touch down in Port Vila at 2.40pm. Return flights (VA54) will depart VLI at 3.20pm and arrive back in BNE at 5.50pm.
On Wednesday and Sunday, flights will leave BNE at 11.55am, land in VLI at 3.35pm, and then depart the Vanuatu capital at 4.35pm before arriving in Queensland at 6.45pm.
More flights coming
“Virgin Australia has simultaneously applied to the International Air Services Commission to increase our allocation of seat capacity between Australia and Vanuatu, with plans to quickly commence a further seven weekly services from east coast gateways into Vanuatu, supporting continued connectivity with our Pacific neighbours,” the Virgin Australia spokesperson said.
On Friday, Air Vanuatu announced it had gone into voluntary administration, with its liquidator, Ernst & Young Australia (EY), saying it expects the carrier to resume normal operations “as soon as possible”.
An EY spokesperson told Karryon that “customers and travellers are always the highest priority… because we want to get people home”.
“The primary focus from EY’s perspective is obviously to work with the existing management team, to ensure that they can get the airline into a position where it’s in a more secure footing to be able to return to normal and to resume operations,” they said.
“When that happens, how that happens… it’s all still being worked through.”
More help
Meanwhile, Fiji Airways, a carrier that has assisted Air Vanuatu in the past, will also add extra flights between Port Vila and Nadi, with the first of five additional services commencing yesterday and continuing until 29 May. FJ will upgauge its ATR 72 aircraft with B737 MAX jets for the extra services.
The carrier also says it will look to add more capacity over the longer term where there is demand.
Non-Fiji Citizens holding Air Vanuatu tickets issued on or before 9 May will be required to present a copy of their NF ticket to qualify for a discount on Fiji Airways flights.
“We understand that this may be a difficult time for travellers who have paid for an Air Vanuatu ticket which they can no longer redeem, therefore we are working to allow travellers to return home,” said Fiji Airways Managing Director and CEO Andre Viljoen said.
“Tourists and Fijians who want to return home can rest assured there will be enough flights and seats to cater for everyone.”
Travel industry helping
Vanuatu Tourism Office CEO Adela Issachar Aru said VTO is already working with its travel trade partners to help those stranded in the country.
“We sympathise with travellers who are currently stranded… we’re currently working with travel agents and also with the tourism industry here,” she told the ABC.
“We’re working on solutions to create experiences for them while they’re in country. We’re organising wonderful tours. We definitely want anyone here… to have a wonderful experience here.”
