Airport

Air New Zealand has announced it will stop flying to Vanuatu because of concerns over the safety of the runway, prompting Qantas to follow suit, amid expectations of a Virgin Australia announcement.

Joe Natuman, who was ousted as prime minister by Sato Kilman last year, says Mr Kilman scrapped his deal with the World Bank in favour of a Shanghai-based consortium that hasn't eventuated.

Air New Zealand yesterday suspended all flights to and from Vanuatu because of the condition of the runway at the airport in the capital, Port Vila.

Vanuatu Hotel & Resorts Association president Bryan Death said other carriers who fly to Port Vila could follow Air New Zealand's lead and that would be disastrous for the tourism industry, which has been recovering from Cyclone Pam last year.