Vanuatu services

The airline’s highly anticipated return to the Pacific Island nation is the latest step in rebuilding its short-haul international network and comes after services to Samoa and a brand-new Gold Coast-Bali route took off this month.

New short haul international services will see Virgin Australia grow its international capacity by 50 per cent from FY23 to FY24 a statement from the airline said.

Direct services from Brisbane to Port Vila will operate on the airline’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft up to five times a week in peak periods, and up to three times weekly in off peaks.

The airport was closed following Tropical Cyclone Judy and TC Kevin which hit the island nation.

The airline said it is likely that the airport will only re-open after the passing of Tropical Cyclone Kevin which struck last night.

“At this stage, Fiji Airways expects to operate its scheduled flights between Nadi and Port Vila on Monday 6th March. We are also planning supplementary services to accommodate guests whose travel has been affected,” the airline said in a statement.

Photo file  Caption: A Fiji Airways aircraft 

RNZI reports the US$1.2 million repair work, which began in late February, was carried out after safety concerns about the runway in January led to the suspension of all Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand flights.

Works to repair the runway were completed on Monday, with the New Zealand contractor Fulton Hogan completed resurfacing work, crack sealing and line markings.