On 17 December 2024, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila, and surrounding areas. A second 6.1-magnitude quake occurred early on 18 December, sending the South Pacific nation reeling and triggering tsunami warnings. Stay up to date on the Vanuatu earthquakes with our live updates.
Tourism operators ready
Saturday, 21 December 2024
The Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) has confirmed that most tourism businesses in the country are operating and ready to welcome guests after multiple major earthquakes struck near the capital Port Vila. It also reported that essential services and transport have been restored.
With recovery efforts still underway, VTO CEO Adela Issachar Aru thanked international supporters, confirming most tourism properties are operational.
“We’re so happy to share that so many of our beautiful properties and island attractions have been able to open and are keen and ready to welcome guests as soon as commercial flights start operating again,” Issachar Aru said.
“Our community has banded together and as always, what draws people to Vanuatu remains the same – the pristine landscapes, kastom and of course, the smiles.
“These are all ready and waiting for holidaymakers. So, while some of our businesses are in the process of recovery, we still have so much to offer holidaymakers for the festive season.
“We want our Aussie neighbours to be part of our recovery and show their support for our community by visiting our islands and choosing us as their next holiday destination as soon as they are able.”
Airport still closed
Saturday, 21 December 2024
Vanuatu’s main gateway, Bauerfield International Airport, remains closed to commercial flights.
In an update on Friday night, Qantas and Jetstar said they are “working towards resuming scheduled flights between Australia and Vanuatu in the coming days when it is safe to do so”.
‘We’re aware some customers affected by recent cancellations following earthquake activity may have already travelled,” it stated.
“We’re contacting customers directly to see if they still wish to fly on a scheduled Qantas or Jetstar flight. “
148 Australians return
Friday, 20 December 2024
Travelling on two RAAF aircraft, 148 Australian citizens arrived home this morning from Vanuatu following the country’s multiple earthquakes earlier this week.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed the news on social media this morning, saying that Australian aircraft were providing “vital assistance” to the South Pacific nation.
“We are helping Vanuatu to restore operations at the commercial airport,” she stated.
“Additional assistance will be provided where possible, ahead of the airport reopening.”
However, it is not known when the country’s main gateway, Bauerfield International Airport, will reopen.
Meanwhile, Wong said “Australians in Vanuatu can register online to receive information and updates via http://crisis.dfat.gov.au“.
“Australians needing emergency consular assistance should contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas or 1300 555 135 in Australia.”
DFAT has not changed Vanuatu’s overall travel advice level, which remains at the lowest level (Exercise normal safety precautions).
More pleas for tourism
Friday, 20 December 2024
The Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) said in a statement that while the earthquake had caused “significant damage” in the capital city, Port Vila, “many tourism operations are still operating”.
VTO reported that some accommodation is temporarily closed for safety checks, while other properties remain open and are hosting relocated guests.
Santo and Tanna were unaffected by the earthquake, VTO confirmed.
Meanwhile, Bauerfield Airport’s runway is operational but closed to commercial flights for 72 hours to prioritise relief and medivac efforts. Air Vanuatu has also suspended domestic services.
“The town of Port Vila has been significantly impacted by the earthquake and recovery efforts are underway,” a VTO spokesperson said.
“While our main focus is ensuring those currently in Port Vila get the support they need, we have been buoyed by messages of support from the international community and once commercial flights resume there are many tourism operators that are fully operational and ready to welcome visitors again.
“Tourism will assist Vanuatu’s recovery from this earthquake and we are hopeful visitors will continue with their plans of travellers holidaying on our shores.”
A post-Christmas return?
Friday, 20 December 2024
Tourism operators and business owners in Vanuatu will be hoping for a strong start to 2025, saying Aussie travellers will play a major role in the country’s recovery efforts. Australia is by far Vanuatu’s largest tourism market.
Brendon Deeley, co-owner of Vanuatu’s iconic Iririki Resort, which lies in the middle of Port Vila Bay, said he is hoping for a post-Christmas return for tourism.
According to the ABC, Deeley said that the island nation’s tourism infrastructure was largely intact following the earthquakes, with damage at Iririki minimal.
“We do have a lot of guests onsite at the moment and our teams are doing everything we can to make sure that the rest of their stays are as enjoyable as possible,” he added.
Other resorts have reported their guests are safe – either on-site or at nearby properties.
Full air travel update
Thursday, 19 December 2024
Airlines that operate in Vanuatu have cancelled flights until at least Sunday as Port Vila’s main airport remains closed due to the earthquakes that struck the Pacific island nation this week.
Here’s a rundown of the status of flights in the country as of Thursday morning:
- Jetstar – All JQ flights between Sydney and Port Vila have been cancelled until Sunday 22 December. “Our teams are continuing to closely monitor the situation, and we will provide further updates on our operations to and from Vanuatu as soon as possible via our Travel Alerts page, as well as SMS and emails to customers whose flights are impacted,” the airline states. “We’re also offering flexibility for those who no longer wish to travel to Vanuatu. If you’ve booked a flight to/from Port Vila for travel between 18 December 2024 and 5 January 2025, please contact us via live chat to discuss your options including a voucher refund or free date change.”
- Qantas – All QF flights have been cancelled until Saturday 21 December. “We continue to work closely with the relevant authorities to be ready to resume operations and help bring customers home as soon as possible.We’re closely monitoring the situation in Vanuatu,” it says. “If your flight has been impacted, we’ll contact you directly using the details in your booking and provide you with options including a refund.”
- Virgin Australia – VA has suspended operations to Port Vila and is working with authorities “to be ready to support guests to travel home as soon as possible”.
- Fiji Airways – All FJ flights to and from Port Vila Airport have been cancelled until at least Friday, 20 December 2024. The carrier says the country’s main airport has sustained “significant damage to its terminal and runway, and further assessments by the authorities will determine the next steps”.
- Solomon Airlines – Passengers on several flights have been rebooked for services commencing Friday, but this will depend on the status of Port Vila’s airport. According to the carrier, Thursday’s Brisbane to Santo to Port Vila flight (IE726) and Port Vila to Brisbane (IE718) will operate as a Brisbane to Santo to Brisbane service only and will not include Port Vila.
To travel or not to travel?
Thursday, 19 December 2024
Vanuatu Business Resilience Council chairperson Glen Craig hopes commercial flights can resume as soon as possible.
“Let us not forget we’re in the peak tourism season and we’re telling everyone, honestly don’t cancel your holiday [and] hotels,” he stated.
According to the ABC, Craig said resorts are all “okay” and the country doesn’t need “an economic disaster after having this”.
“And whilst we don’t want to seem insensitive about it, we need to, we want to, make sure that in a few days, we’ve still got those people that wanted to come on holiday and experience Vanuatu,” he added.
Infrastructure hit badly
Wednesday 18 December 2024
Widespread damage to infrastructure, buildings and roads has been reported due to two Vanuatu earthquakes, including a multi-storey structure housing the embassies of the US, UK France and New Zealand, which suffered partial collapses. Vehicles were crushed under debris, and significant structural damage was reported throughout the city. Landslides have blocked roads and buried infrastructure, complicating rescue efforts. Essential services, such as telecommunications and phone services are down.
Residents were urged to stay away from coastlines for at least 24 hours until tsunami and earthquake monitoring systems were operational again.
The Red Cross has reported more than 200 people have been injured, and at least 14 have died due to the first earthquake. Vanuatu’s main hospital in Port Vila, along with diplomatic offices, were also damaged.
The Sydney Morning Herald said Acting Prime Minister Charlot Salwai had declared a state of emergency due to the Vanuatu earthquakes and imposed a seven-day curfew in the worst affected areas.
Australia will send emergency and consular assistance, including urban search and rescue and medical teams, to Port Vila today.
Vanuatu flights grounded
Wednesday 18 December 2024
The Red Cross said access to Port Vila’s Bauerfield International Airport and seaport was severely limited due to road damage, which could affect aid delivery efforts.
The runway is also severely damaged, grounding all flights in and out of Vanuatu, and a massive landslide has occurred at the international shipping terminal.
Several Australian and South Pacific airlines cancelled or paused scheduled flights for yesterday and today while awaiting news of the airport’s status.
These include Virgin Australia, Qantas, Jetstar and Fiji Airways, which have had to cancel or divert flights to and from Port Vila.
Latest travel advice
Wednesday 18 December 2024
The Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) updated its advice on the Smartraveller website in the wake of the Vanuatu earthquakes, encouraging Australian travellers to contact their airlines for further information.
Australians in Vanuatu can also register using the DFAT crisis registration portal.
Meanwhile, Vanuatu Tourism Office CEO Adela Issachar Aru said, “Pretty much the town area [of Port Vila] is out of bounds”, as VTO works with hotels to restore calm.
“There was panic yesterday during and after the incident,” she told ABC‘s News Channel.
“There is still panic as of this morning because families say they can still feel a bit aftershock.”
Karryon has contacted the Vanuatu Tourism Office for further commentary.
While yesterday’s earthquake is considered one of the strongest in recent years, Vanuatu is no stranger to seismic activity due to its position where the Indo-Australia tectonic plate moves beneath the Pacific Plate.
The South Pacific nation was impacted by two cyclones and earthquakes last March.