runway repairs

In January, Air New Zealand, Qantas and Virgin Australia announced they were suspending flights to the country over safety concerns about the runway at Port Vila's Bauerfield Airport.

RNZI reports the airlines' announcement saw the country's new government scramble to re-negotiate a World Bank loan to carry out emergency repairs in time for peak tourist season.

This week the Vanuatu government signed a contract with New Zealand company Fulton Hogan to carry out repairs to the runway at Bauerfield Airport.

Air New Zealand, Qantas, and Virgin Australia had earlier suspended flights to the airport, citing concerns about the runway's safety.

Prime Minister Charlot Salwai has his eyes set on the airport repairs as a matter of urgency and wants to see the runway is fixed by April, as mandated by the Council of Ministers in an emergency meeting last Friday...

The value of the emergency repair work is approximately VT139million (US$1.2 million).

According to the project timeline, the government expected that the emergency repairs are completed by 06 April.     

Air New Zealand, Qantas, and Virgin Australia last month stopped flying to Port Vila's Bauerfield Airport citing concerns about the runway's safety.

The new Prime Minister, Charlot Salwai, says repairing the runway is one of his top priorities, and the public utilities ministry yesterday awarded the contract to New Zealand company Fulton Hogan.