runway

The volcanic island already has an airstrip on its south side.

The Daily Post newspaper reports that the new airstrip will cost a total of $US1.3 million and won't be tar sealed.

Ambrym Island is famous for its twin active volcanoes which in 1913 forced the then colonial joint administration of Britain and France to evacuate the island's population.

The islanders were moved to Epi Island, Malekula Island and Efate Island where the capital of Port Vila is located.

RNZ reports in January, Air New Zealand withdrew its services to Port Vila and Qantas pulled out of a codeshare arrangement over concerns about the safety of the runway there.

The government sought a World Bank loan, and short-term repairs were carried out in May, which were designed to last 12 months while a longer term solution was sought.

But last week work had to be carried out again after staff spotted a gap opening up in part of the runway.

Last month, Air New Zealand, Qantas, and Virgin Australia suspended flights to Port VIla because of fears about the safety of the runway at Bauerfield Airport.

Air Vanuatu continues to operate services.

The new aircraft landed safely in front of the president of the republic, Father Baldwin Lonsdale, the caretaker prime minister Sato Kilman, diplomats and business people.

The chief executive of Air Vanuatu, Joseph Laloyer, said the new plane allows the airline to pick up some of the slack after Air New Zealand, Qantas and Virgin Australia suspended flights into Port Vila.

This follows a decision by Air New Zealand and Qantas to suspend flights to Vanuatu, due to concerns over the safety of the runway at Port Vila's Bauerfield airport.

A 2015 World Bank offer of an almost $US 60 million loan to Vanuatu to upgrade the runway is still active and the country has urgently requested help.

This follows last week's decision by Air New Zealand and Qantas to suspend flights to Port Vila amid concern over a lack of safety with the runway.

In a statement, the FLNKS says it wants the territory's international airline, Aircalin, to show discernment and keep the flights.

Air New Zealand has stopped flying to Bauerfield because of concerns over the state of the runway although Virgin, Air Vanuatu and Fiji Airways say they will continue to operate.

Solomon Airlines' Gus Kraus says the airline has conducted a review of the runway and concluded conditions were safe for its Airbus A320 to fly in and out..

This follows a decision by Air New Zealand and Qantas to suspend flights to Bauerfield Airport due to concerns about issues like debris on the runway.

In response, the Authority and Airports Vanuatu Ltd have immediately increased actions to mitigate the runway problem.

Air New Zealand has suspended flights to Vanuatu’s capital, saying the runway has gradually deteriorated, with loose material on the surface making it unsafe for jet aircraft.

Qantas has also suspended its code-sharing flights with Air Vanuatu, and Virgin Australia is sending experts to assess the runway.