25 January, 2016:  Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) can confirm international flights are operating in and out of Port Vila’s Bauerfield International Airport.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu (CAAV) and Airports Vanuatu Limited (AVL) is acting on measures required by airline operators and the Government of Vanuatu to ensure jet operations can continue at Bauerfield airport.

The Director of CAAV, Joseph Niel said “Air New Zealand’s decision to suspend services to Port Vila was based on an internal risk assessment carried out by the airline itself and was more of a precautionary action rather than to declare Bauerfield as being unsafe.  However, it is fact that the runway is urgently due a resurfacing or repair and this was further exacerbated by the effects of the recent Tropical Cyclone Pam.”

There are extra precautions now in place until permanent repair at the aerodrome begins. The safety measures include daily ‘sweeping’ of the runway plus regular inspections prior to and after take-off; new obstacle and runway surveys and 200m of runway to be marked at the end of runway 11 for urgent repair.VTO General Manager Linda Kalpoi said, “in the interest of all tourism operators in Vanuatu, there will be a concerted effort to make sure any issues are addressed as soon as possible so that Air New Zealand resumes and the effect on tourism is minimised.”

Travellers looking for the latest travel advice should visit:

http://smartraveller.gov.au/countries/vanuatu

ENDS

Anne Morris

Australian Representative

Vanuatu Tourism Office
T.  +61 2 9028 3577 M. +61 402 244 161
E.  australia@vanuatu.travel
W. www.vanuatu.travel / www.vanuatuspecialists.com.au / www.discovervanuatu.com.au