Air Vanuatu
Encyclopedia
Air Vanuatu is an airline
with its head office in the Air Vanuatu House, Port Vila, Vanuatu
. It is Vanuatu's national flag carrier
, operating to Australia
, New Zealand
and points in the South Pacific
. Its main base is Bauerfield International Airport
, Port Vila.
Air Vanuatu was established in early 1981 after Vanuatu gained independence from the United Kingdom and France the previous year. The assistance of Ansett Airlines
was sought and a five year agreement put in place for Ansett to provide aircraft and operating staff. Ansett also took a 40% stake in the new airline, the government of Vanuatu holding the other 60%. The first Air Vanuatu flight, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31
owned and operated by Ansett, departed Sydney for Port Vila on 5 September 1981. In May 1982 a Boeing 737-200
of Polynesian Airlines
replaced the DC-9; this was replaced in turn by an Ansett 737-200 in October 1985. In March 1986 the agreement with Ansett expired and was not renewed, this had the effect of grounding the airline.
In 1987 the company was re-established with 100% ownership by the government of Vanuatu, after a new commercial agreement was signed with Australian Airlines
; weekly Sydney - Port Vila flights re-commenced on 19 December using a Boeing 727-200
chartered
from Australian. Air Vanuatu subsequently bought the aircraft in 1989 and leased it back to Australian for use on that airline's network on days that it was not used by Air Vanuatu. In November 1992 the 727 was replaced by a Boeing 737-400
leased from Australian Airlines. The following year an Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante
was also leased from Australian, entering service that April to operate flights between Port Vila and Nouméa
. The leases on both aircraft continued after Australian was taken over by Qantas
in October 1993, with the commercial agreement being rolled-over to Qantas as well. Qantas is deeply involved in the airline's operations to this day; Air Vanuatu uses Qantas' Frequent Flyer program, Qantas codeshares on Air Vanuatu's flights from Australia, and provides maintenance and pilot training services as well.
Air Vanuatu terminated the lease on the Qantas Boeing 737-400 after it took delivery of its own Boeing 737-300
in April 1997. The same month Bandeirante services ceased when a Saab 2000
entered service. The lease on the Saab 2000 was terminated in March 1999 and in June that year Air Vanuatu commenced using a de Havilland Canada Dash 8 of Vanuatu's government-owned domestic carrier Vanair
on weekly services to Nouméa. In April 2001 Air Vanuatu merged
with Vanair, however the merger was reversed only five months later. In November 2003 an ATR 42
entered service for use on domestic routes in competition with Vanair. In September 2004, Air Vanuatu again merged with Vanair.
In January 2008 Air Vanuatu replaced its Boeing 737-300 with a new Boeing 737-800
. Three Harbin Y-12
s were added to the fleet in early 2009 and in October the same year the airline took delivery of a new ATR 72-500
aircraft to replace its ATR 42. Four days after the ATR 72 arrived at Port Vila the Board of Air Vanuatu was sacked and replaced by Director Generals of various Vanuatu government ministries. The ATR 72 made its first revenue flight for Air Vanuatu on 8 November 2009.
Malampa
Penama
Sanma
Shefa
Tafea
Torba
As of November 2009 Air Vanuatu operates six international routes to Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand
.
and Nadi International Airport
in Fiji
by codesharing on Air Pacific
flights. Air Vanuatu codeshares on Air New Zealand
's weekly service to Auckland; Air New Zealand also codeshares on Air Vanuatu's Auckland services.
on the western side of the island of Espiritu Santo
, killing the pilot and seriously injuring some passengers. The aircraft had been heading to Santo-Pekoa International Airport
. The mountainous region where the plane crashed was shrouded in thick fog at the time.
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
with its head office in the Air Vanuatu House, Port Vila, Vanuatu
Vanuatu
Vanuatu , officially the Republic of Vanuatu , is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is some east of northern Australia, northeast of New Caledonia, west of Fiji, and southeast of the Solomon Islands, near New Guinea.Vanuatu was...
. It is Vanuatu's national flag carrier
Flag carrier
A flag carrier is a transportation company, such as an airline or shipping company, that, being locally registered in a given country, enjoys preferential rights or privileges, accorded by the government, for international operations. It may be a state-run, state-owned or private but...
, operating to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and points in the South Pacific
Oceania
Oceania is a region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Conceptions of what constitutes Oceania range from the coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific to the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago...
. Its main base is Bauerfield International Airport
Bauerfield International Airport
Bauerfield International Airport is an airport located in Port Vila, Vanuatu. The airport is relatively small in size, but its runway has the capability and length to accept jets up to the Boeing 767. It serves as the hub for Vanuatu's flag carrier airline, Air Vanuatu.-Overview:The airport was...
, Port Vila.
History
Ansett Australia
Ansett Australia, Ansett, Ansett Airlines of Australia, or ANSETT-ANA as it was commonly known in earlier years, was a major Australian airline group, based in Melbourne. The airlines flew domestically within Australia and to destinations in Asia during its operation in 1996...
was sought and a five year agreement put in place for Ansett to provide aircraft and operating staff. Ansett also took a 40% stake in the new airline, the government of Vanuatu holding the other 60%. The first Air Vanuatu flight, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31
McDonnell Douglas DC-9
The McDonnell Douglas DC-9 is a twin-engine, single-aisle jet airliner. It was first manufactured in 1965 with its maiden flight later that year. The DC-9 was designed for frequent, short flights. The final DC-9 was delivered in October 1982.The DC-9 was followed in subsequent modified forms by...
owned and operated by Ansett, departed Sydney for Port Vila on 5 September 1981. In May 1982 a Boeing 737-200
Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
of Polynesian Airlines
Polynesian Airlines
Polynesian Airlines is the national airline of Samoa and has its headquarters in the Samoa National Provident Fund Building in the capital, Apia. It formerly flew all over the Pacific but with the establishment of Polynesian Blue by the government and Virgin Blue , Polynesian Airlines has...
replaced the DC-9; this was replaced in turn by an Ansett 737-200 in October 1985. In March 1986 the agreement with Ansett expired and was not renewed, this had the effect of grounding the airline.
In 1987 the company was re-established with 100% ownership by the government of Vanuatu, after a new commercial agreement was signed with Australian Airlines
Trans Australia Airlines
Trans Australia Airlines or TAA, was one of the two major Australian domestic airlines between its inception in 1946 and its sale to Qantas in May 1996. During that period TAA played a major part in the development of the Australian air transport industry...
; weekly Sydney - Port Vila flights re-commenced on 19 December using a Boeing 727-200
Boeing 727
The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine, T-tailed commercial jet airliner, manufactured by Boeing. The Boeing 727 first flew in 1963, and for over a decade more were built per year than any other jet airliner. When production ended in 1984 a total of 1,832 aircraft had been produced...
chartered
Air charter
Air charter is the business of renting an entire aircraft as opposed to individual aircraft seats...
from Australian. Air Vanuatu subsequently bought the aircraft in 1989 and leased it back to Australian for use on that airline's network on days that it was not used by Air Vanuatu. In November 1992 the 727 was replaced by a Boeing 737-400
Boeing 737 Classic
The Boeing 737 Classic is the name given to the -300/-400/-500 series of the Boeing 737 following the introduction of the -600/-700/-800/-900 series. They are short- to medium- range, narrow-body jet airliners produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The Classic series was introduced as the 'new...
leased from Australian Airlines. The following year an Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante
Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante
The Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante is a general purpose 15-21 passenger twin-turboprop light transport aircraft suitable for military and civil duties...
was also leased from Australian, entering service that April to operate flights between Port Vila and Nouméa
Nouméa
Nouméa is the capital city of the French territory of New Caledonia. It is situated on a peninsula in the south of New Caledonia's main island, Grande Terre, and is home to the majority of the island's European, Polynesian , Indonesian, and Vietnamese populations, as well as many Melanesians,...
. The leases on both aircraft continued after Australian was taken over by Qantas
Qantas
Qantas Airways Limited is the flag carrier of Australia. The name was originally "QANTAS", an initialism for "Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services". Nicknamed "The Flying Kangaroo", the airline is based in Sydney, with its main hub at Sydney Airport...
in October 1993, with the commercial agreement being rolled-over to Qantas as well. Qantas is deeply involved in the airline's operations to this day; Air Vanuatu uses Qantas' Frequent Flyer program, Qantas codeshares on Air Vanuatu's flights from Australia, and provides maintenance and pilot training services as well.
Air Vanuatu terminated the lease on the Qantas Boeing 737-400 after it took delivery of its own Boeing 737-300
Boeing 737 Classic
The Boeing 737 Classic is the name given to the -300/-400/-500 series of the Boeing 737 following the introduction of the -600/-700/-800/-900 series. They are short- to medium- range, narrow-body jet airliners produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The Classic series was introduced as the 'new...
in April 1997. The same month Bandeirante services ceased when a Saab 2000
Saab 2000
|-See also:-References:* Lambert, Mark. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1993–94. Coulsdon, UK:Jane's Data Division, 1993. ISBN 0 7106 1066 1....
entered service. The lease on the Saab 2000 was terminated in March 1999 and in June that year Air Vanuatu commenced using a de Havilland Canada Dash 8 of Vanuatu's government-owned domestic carrier Vanair
Vanair
Vanair was a domestic airline based in Vanuatu. The airline flew to 29 destinations on 18 of Vanuatu's 83 islands, and was wholly owned by the Vanuatu government.- History :...
on weekly services to Nouméa. In April 2001 Air Vanuatu merged
Mergers and acquisitions
Mergers and acquisitions refers to the aspect of corporate strategy, corporate finance and management dealing with the buying, selling, dividing and combining of different companies and similar entities that can help an enterprise grow rapidly in its sector or location of origin, or a new field or...
with Vanair, however the merger was reversed only five months later. In November 2003 an ATR 42
ATR 42
-Civil operators:The largest operators of the ATR-42 are FedEx Express, Airlinair, TRIP Linhas Aéreas,and Mexico City-based Aeromar respectively. Number of aircraft as of 2010:Some 70 other airlines operate smaller numbers of the type....
entered service for use on domestic routes in competition with Vanair. In September 2004, Air Vanuatu again merged with Vanair.
In January 2008 Air Vanuatu replaced its Boeing 737-300 with a new Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737 Next Generation
The Boeing 737 Next Generation, commonly abbreviated as Boeing 737NG, is the name given to the -600/-700/-800/-900 series of the Boeing 737 after the introduction of the -300/-400/-500 Classic series. They are short- to medium-range, narrow-body jet airliners...
. Three Harbin Y-12
Harbin Y-12
-See also:-Bibliography:* Taylor, John W R. . Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-89. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group, 1988. ISBN 07106-0867-5....
s were added to the fleet in early 2009 and in October the same year the airline took delivery of a new ATR 72-500
ATR 72
The ATR 72 is a twin-engine turboprop short-haul regional airliner built by the French-Italian aircraft manufacturer ATR. ATR and Airbus are both built in Toulouse, and share resources and technology...
aircraft to replace its ATR 42. Four days after the ATR 72 arrived at Port Vila the Board of Air Vanuatu was sacked and replaced by Director Generals of various Vanuatu government ministries. The ATR 72 made its first revenue flight for Air Vanuatu on 8 November 2009.
MalampaMalampa ProvinceMalampa is a province of Vanuatu, made up of three main islands, Malakula, Ambrym and Paama, from which the province's name is derived. It includes a number of other islands – the small islands of Uripiv, Norsup, Rano, Wala, Atchin and Vao off the coast of Malakula, and the volcanic island of...
- Craig Cove (Craig Cove AirportCraig Cove AirportCraig Cove Airport is an airport in Craig Cove on Ambrym Island in Vanuatu .-Airlines and destinations:*Air Vanuatu...
) - Lamap (Malekoula Island AirportMalekoula Island AirportMalekoula Airport , also known as Lamap Airport, is an airfield near Lamap on the island of Malekoula, in the Malampa province in Vanuatu. It is one of two airfields on the island, the other being Norsup Airport in the north.-Facilities:...
) - Norsup (Norsup AirportNorsup AirportNorsup Airport is an airfield near Norsup on the island of Malekula, in the Malampa province in Vanuatu. It is one of three airfields on the island, the others being Lamap Airport and South West Bay in the south.- Facilities :...
) - PaamaPaamaPaama is a small island in the Malampa Province, Vanuatu. The island is about 8 km from north to south and only 5 km or so at its widest point. The island is dominated by hills, rising to a height of around 550 m in the north...
(Paama AirportPaama AirportPaama Airport is an airport on Paama, in Vanuatu .-Airlines and destinations:*Air Vanuatu...
) - South West BaySouth West BaySouth West Bay is an open bay indenting the west side of Heard Island immediately north of Cape Gazert in the southern Indian Ocean. The bay was roughly charted on an 1860 sketch map compiled by Captain H.C. Chester, an American sealer. The name "S.W. Bay" appears on an 1882 chart compiled by Ens....
(South West Bay AirportSouth West Bay AirportSouth West Bay Airport is an airport in South West Bay, Vanuatu .-Airlines and destinations:*Air Vanuatu...
) - Ulei (Ulei AirportUlei AirportUlei Airport is an airport in Ulei, Vanuatu .-Airlines and destinations:*Air Vanuatu...
)
PenamaPenama ProvincePENAMA is a province of Vanuatu, occupying the islands of Ambae, Maewo, and Pentecost. The name PENAMA is derived from the initial letters of Pentecost, Ambae and Maewo. It has a population of 28,960 people and an area of 1,198 km². Its capital is Saratamata....
- LonganaLonganaLongana is located on the eastern part of Ambae island in Penama Province, Vanuatu. It covers land area of approximately . It is on this part of the island where the headquarters of Penama province called Saratamata is located. A proposed plan has been put forward by the provincial Government to...
(Longana AirportLongana Airport-Airlines and destinations:*Air Vanuatu...
) - MaewoMaewoMaewo is an island in Vanuatu in Penama province, 105 km to the east of Espiritu Santo. It is 47 km long, and 6 km wide, with an area of 269 km². Its highest point is 795 m above sea level...
(Maewo-Naone AirportMaewo-Naone AirportMaewo-Naone Airport is an airport on Maewo in Vanuatu.-Airlines and destinations:*Air Vanuatu...
) - RedcliffeRedcliffeRedcliffe City is a municipal location north-northeast of Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland, Australia. Also known as "the Redcliffe peninsula", the area covers the suburbs of Clontarf, Kippa-Ring, Margate, Newport, Redcliffe, Rothwell, Scarborough and Woody Point.Redcliffe is home...
(Redcliffe Airport) - Sarah (Sara AirportSara AirportSara Airport is an airport on northern Pentecost Island, Vanuatu.It is a short grass airstrip built across a hilltop, next to the village of Arongbwaratu. Sara does not suffer from the problems of waterlogging that formerly afflicted Lonorore, Pentecost's other airport, although the airport's high...
) - Walaha (Walaha AirportWalaha AirportWalaha Airport is an airport in Walaha, Vanuatu .-Airlines and destinations:*Air Vanuatu...
)
SanmaSanma ProvinceSanma is a province located in the Northern part of the nation of Vanuatu, occupying the nation's largest island, Espiritu Santo, which is located approximately 2,500 km northeast of Sydney, Australia. The name Sanma is derived from the initial letters of the main islands of Santo and Malo...
- Lonorore (Lonorore AirportLonorore AirportLonorore Airport or Lonoror is an airport on south-western Pentecost Island, Vanuatu.Lonorore began as a grass airstrip, capable of accommodating 20-seater Twin Otter aircraft in good conditions, although it was frequently unusable due to waterlogging in wet weather. The airport is built in the...
) - LuganvilleLuganvilleLuganville, called "Santo" by people from Vanuatu's northern islands who use Luganville as their big city, and called "Kanal" by rural residents of the large island of Espiritu Santo, is the second largest city in Vanuatu. The population is .Luganville is one of Vanuatu's busiest ports,...
(Santo-Pekoa International AirportSanto-Pekoa International AirportSanto-Pekoa International Airport is an airport in Luganville on Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu . Airports Vanuatu Limited provides aviation services for the airport.-Airlines and destinations:-History:...
)
ShefaShefa ProvinceShefa is a province of Vanuatu, including the islands of Epi and Efate and the Shepherd Islands. The name Shefa is derived from the initial letters of Shepherd and Efate. It has a population of 45,280 people and an area of 1,455 km²...
- ÉmaéEmaeEmae is an island in the Shepherds Islands, Shefa, Vanuatu. Maunga Lasi is the highest peak at 644 m. It forms the northern rim of the underwater volcano of Makura, which also covers the nearby islands of Makura and Mataso...
(Siwo AirportSiwo AirportSiwo Airport is an airport in Sangafa on Emae Island in Vanuatu . A departure tax is charged for departures from this airport.-Airlines and destinations:*Air Vanuatu...
) - Lamen Bay (Lamen Bay AirportLamen Bay AirportLamen Bay Airport is an airport in Lamen Bay on Epi, Vanuatu.-Airlines and destinations:*Air Vanuatu...
) - Port VilaPort VilaPort Vila is the capital and largest city of Vanuatu. Situated on the south coast of the island of Efate, in Shefa Province, the city population at last was 29,356, an increase of 55% on the previous census result . This suggests a 2007 population of about 40,000 or around 65% of the province's...
(Bauerfield International AirportBauerfield International AirportBauerfield International Airport is an airport located in Port Vila, Vanuatu. The airport is relatively small in size, but its runway has the capability and length to accept jets up to the Boeing 767. It serves as the hub for Vanuatu's flag carrier airline, Air Vanuatu.-Overview:The airport was...
) - Tongoa (Tongoa AirportTongoa AirportTongoa Airport is an airport in Tongoa, Vanuatu .-Airlines and destinations:*Air Vanuatu...
) - Valesdir (Valesdir AirportValesdir AirportValesdir Airport is an airport in Valesdir, Vanuatu .-Airlines and destinations:*Air Vanuatu...
)
TafeaTafea ProvinceTafea is the southernmost province of Vanuatu. The name is an acronym for the five main islands that make up the province:1) including Goat Island and Vete Manung Island...
- AnatomAnatomAnatom is the southernmost island of Vanuatu. It is in the province of Tafea. The largest village is Anelghowhat , on the south side. The island is 159.2 km² in size...
(Anatom AirportAnatom AirportAnatom Airport , also known as Aneityum Airport, is an airfield serving the island of Anatom , in the Taféa province in Vanuatu. The airfield is actually located on the smaller Inyeug island.-Facilities:...
) - AniwaAniwa IslandAniwa is a small island in the southernmost province of Tafea, Vanuatu. As a coral island , it rises a mere 42 m above sea level. In the northwest is Itcharo lagoon, which is open to the sea...
(Aniwa AirportAniwa AirportAniwa Airport is an airfield on the island of Aniwa, in the Taféa province in Vanuatu.-Facilities:The airport resides at an elevation of above mean sea level. It has one runway which is in length....
) - Dillon's Bay (Dillon's Bay Airport)
- Futuna IslandFutuna Island, VanuatuFutuna is an island in the Tafea province of Vanuatu. It is the easternmost island in the country. It was formed by the uplift of an underwater volcano, which last erupted in the Pleistocene, at least 11,000 years ago. It reaches a height of 666 m. It is sometimes called West Futuna to distinguish...
(Futuna AirportFutuna AirportFutuna Airport is an airfield on the island of Futuna, in the Taféa province in Vanuatu....
) - IpotaIpotaIpota is a village in the municipality of Jajce, Bosnia and Herzegovina.-References:...
(Ipota AirportIpota AirportIpota Airport is an airfield near Ipota on the island of Erromango, in the Taféa province in Vanuatu. It is one of two airfields in the island, the other being Dillon's Bay Airport in the west.-Facilities:...
) - Tanna (White Grass AirportWhite Grass AirportWhitegrass Airport , also known as White Grass Airport or Tanna Airport, is an airport on the island Tanna, in the Taféa province in Vanuatu. It is located at Whitegrass , north of Lénakel township.-Facilities:...
)
TorbaTorba ProvinceTorba is the northernmost province of Vanuatu, including the Banks Islands and the Torres Islands. Its capital is Sola.The modern name Torba is derived from the initial letters of Torres and Banks.-Facts:...
- GauaGauaGaua is the largest of the Banks Islands in Torba Province of northern Vanuatu. It covers 342 km².- Physical geography :...
(Gaua AirportGaua AirportGaua Airport is an airport on the island of Gaua, one of the Banks Islands in the Torba province in Vanuatu....
) - Mota LavaMota LavaMota Lava or Motalava is the fourth largest island in the Banks Islands of Vanuatu, after Gaua, Vanua Lava and Ureparapara, with an area of . It is the largest and highest of the eastern chain of islands...
(Mota Lava AirportMota Lava AirportMota Lava Airport is an airport located near Ablow on the island of Mota Lava, one of the Banks Islands in the Torba province in Vanuatu. Also known as Valua Airport, it is located on the easternmost end of Motalava island....
) - Sola, Vanua LavaVanua LavaVanua Lava is the second largest of the Banks Islands in Torba Province, Vanuatu, after slightly larger Gaua. It is located about 120 km north-northeast of Espiritu Santo and north of Gaua. It has a land area of 314 km². Its population numbered 2,623 in 2009.The island measures about...
(Vanua Lava Airport) - Torres IslandsTorres IslandsThe Torres Islands are in the Torba Province of Vanuatu, the northernmost island group in the country. The chain of islands that make up this micro-archipelago straddle the broader cultural boundary that distinguishes Island Melanesia from several Polynesian outliers located in the neighbouring...
(Torres AirportTorres AirportTorres Airport is and airfield serving the Torres Islands in the Torba province in Vanuatu. It is located on Linua island, just north of Loh island....
)
International
.
From Port Vila
Australia-
- BrisbaneBrisbaneBrisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
- (Brisbane AirportBrisbane AirportBrisbane Airport is the sole passenger airport serving Brisbane and the third busiest in Australia, after Melbourne and Sydney Airports. Brisbane Airport has won many awards. Located in the suburb with the same name, the airport serves the city of Brisbane and the surrounding metropolitan area...
) - Melbourne - (Melbourne AirportMelbourne AirportMelbourne Airport , also known as Tullamarine Airport, is the primary airport serving the city of Melbourne and the second busiest in Australia. It was opened in 1970 to replace the nearby Essendon Airport. Melbourne Airport is the sole international airport of the four airports serving the...
) - Sydney - (Sydney AirportSydney AirportSydney Airport may refer to:* Sydney Airport, also known as Kingsford Smith International Airport, in Sydney, Australia* Sydney/J.A. Douglas McCurdy Airport, in Nova Scotia, Canada...
)New CaledoniaNew CaledoniaNew Caledonia is a special collectivity of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and about from Metropolitan France. The archipelago, part of the Melanesia subregion, includes the main island of Grande Terre, the Loyalty Islands, the Belep archipelago, the Isle of... - NouméaNouméaNouméa is the capital city of the French territory of New Caledonia. It is situated on a peninsula in the south of New Caledonia's main island, Grande Terre, and is home to the majority of the island's European, Polynesian , Indonesian, and Vietnamese populations, as well as many Melanesians,...
(La Tontouta International AirportLa Tontouta International AirportLa Tontouta International Airport or Nouméa - La Tontouta International Airport is the main international airport on New Caledonia. The airport is in the municipality of Païta, approximately 52 km northwest of Nouméa. In 2006, 415,813 passengers used the airport...
)New ZealandNew ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga... - AucklandAucklandThe Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
(Auckland Airport)
- Brisbane
From Luganville
Australia-
- BrisbaneBrisbaneBrisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
- (Brisbane AirportBrisbane AirportBrisbane Airport is the sole passenger airport serving Brisbane and the third busiest in Australia, after Melbourne and Sydney Airports. Brisbane Airport has won many awards. Located in the suburb with the same name, the airport serves the city of Brisbane and the surrounding metropolitan area...
) - Sydney - (Sydney AirportSydney AirportSydney Airport may refer to:* Sydney Airport, also known as Kingsford Smith International Airport, in Sydney, Australia* Sydney/J.A. Douglas McCurdy Airport, in Nova Scotia, Canada...
)
- Brisbane
Codeshare
Air Vanuatu offers connections to Honiara International Airport in the Solomon IslandsSolomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
and Nadi International Airport
Nadi International Airport
Nadi International Airport is the main international gateway for the islands of Fiji. It serves about 1.2 million people per year, and is the main hub of Air Pacific. The airport is 10km from the city of Nadi. In 2009 it handled 1,220,000 passengers on international and domestic...
in Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
by codesharing on Air Pacific
Air Pacific
Air Pacific Limited, Fiji's international airline, operates international and domestic services around the Pacific and to North America and Hong Kong. It is also a partner with the frequent flyer programmes of Qantas, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines...
flights. Air Vanuatu codeshares on Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand Limited is the national airline and flag carrier of New Zealand. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, the airline operates scheduled passenger flights to 26 domestic destinations and 24 international destinations in 15 countries across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania, and is...
's weekly service to Auckland; Air New Zealand also codeshares on Air Vanuatu's Auckland services.
Fleet
As of November 2009 the Air Vanuatu fleet consists of the following aircraft:- 1 Boeing 737-800Boeing 737 Next GenerationThe Boeing 737 Next Generation, commonly abbreviated as Boeing 737NG, is the name given to the -600/-700/-800/-900 series of the Boeing 737 after the introduction of the -300/-400/-500 Classic series. They are short- to medium-range, narrow-body jet airliners...
- 1 ATR 72-500
- 1 de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin OtterDe Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin OtterThe DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
- 3 Harbin Y-12Harbin Y-12-See also:-Bibliography:* Taylor, John W R. . Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-89. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group, 1988. ISBN 07106-0867-5....
- 1 Britten-Norman BN2A Islander
Incidents and accidents
19 December 2008 - An Air Vanuatu Britten-Norman Islander aircraft (Flight NF 261) with nine passengers crashed into a mountain near Olpoi AirportOlpoi Airport
Olpoi Airport is an airport in Olpoi on Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu.-Airlines and destinations:*Air Vanuatu...
on the western side of the island of Espiritu Santo
Espiritu Santo
Espiritu Santo is the largest island in the nation of Vanuatu, with an area of . It belongs to the archipelago of the New Hebrides in the Pacific region of Melanesia. It is in the Sanma Province of Vanuatu....
, killing the pilot and seriously injuring some passengers. The aircraft had been heading to Santo-Pekoa International Airport
Santo-Pekoa International Airport
Santo-Pekoa International Airport is an airport in Luganville on Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu . Airports Vanuatu Limited provides aviation services for the airport.-Airlines and destinations:-History:...
. The mountainous region where the plane crashed was shrouded in thick fog at the time.