Vanuatu, like other island nations in the Pacific, experienced a significant downturn in international tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic. More recently it suffered from the effects of two category 4 cyclones – Judy and Kevin, with significant damage caused to critical infrastructure on a number of islands.
Air Vanuatu, the nation’s flag carrier, was forced to downsize its operations and concentrate on domestic flights during recent years, but is now scaling up again to accommodate strong demand for passenger seats and cargo capacity to its international destinations.
Air Vanuatu operates four aircraft types – B737-800, ATR72-600, DHC-6-300 and BN2, to a network of 26 airports within Vanuatu and international destinations throughout the Pacific, as well as Australia and New Zealand.
The recently announced resumption of a service between Santo (SON) and Brisbane (BNE), and additional flights between Port Vila (VLI) and Auckland (AKL), is good news for international visitors and the communities and businesses of the region.
These new services will be operated by a Solomon Airlines A320-200 aircraft under a wet lease agreement.
Virgin Australia has also recently recommenced its BNE - VLI service.
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Tags: Aviation, Expert, Advice, Pacific, Travel, Vanuatu, International
