Air Vanuatu has cancelled all international flights for four days until Sunday, 12th May as the airline battles to stay afloat.

The airline, which has a codeshare arrangement with Qantas in Australia, flies between Port Vila and Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. It also flies from Luganville to Brisbane, as well as a number of South Pacific nations including Noumea.

However late yesterday it cancelled all international flights until Sunday. According to the ABC, Ernst & Young have also been engaged to determine if the airline should enter voluntary administration.

Flights between the following destinations have now been cancelled:

  • Port Vila and Sydney

  • Port Vila and Auckland

  • Brisbane and Port Vila

  • Brisbane and Santo

  • Noumea and Port Vila

The suspension leaves Virgin Australia as the only airline flying direct between Vanuatu and Australia.

Air Vanuatu has been battling ongoing maintenance issues with its sole aircraft - a leased Boeing 737. It reached an agreement to lease additional Solomon airlines A320s, but one of these aircraft also recently required maintenance work. An additional Boeing 737 has also been on loan from Nauru Airlines.

The airlines Boeing 737 aircraft has been in Melbourne awaiting spare parts for servicing. Air Vanuatu says that it’s been struggling to obtain the necessary parts due to an ongoing global shortage of aircraft spare parts.

Impacted customers urged to reach out for support

Qantas is encouraging its customers impacted by the decision and who booked directly with the airline to call customer service on 13 13 13 to discuss further options. This includes a potential refund.

If you booked through a travel agent, contact them for additional information.

Late yesterday the Australian Government updated the Smartraveller page for Vanuatu encouraging those impacted to contact the airline, your travel agent or insurance company about rescheduling flights.

The news comes just over a week after Australian airline Bonza had their aircraft repossessed. It has since entered administration and ceased flying temporarily.