Air Vanuatu’s second Twin Otter aircraft is expected to arrive in Vanuatu by mid-September as the national airline works to strengthen its domestic services and improve connections between the islands.

Air Vanuatu Chairman Robin Deamer confirmed to VBTC News that he will travel to the United States on 1 September to collect the aircraft.

Mr Deamer, who has 33 years of experience as a pilot, said he will carry out checks and test flights on the aircraft before beginning its journey to Vanuatu.

If all goes according to plan, he expects to depart the United States on 8 September, with the aircraft expected to arrive in Vanuatu around 15 or 16 September.

The journey is expected to take between 53 and 55 hours.

The new aircraft will add capacity to Air Vanuatu’s domestic fleet as the airline continues to focus on connecting the islands.

Three Twin Otters currently serviceable

Air Vanuatu currently has four Twin Otter aircraft, with three serviceable and being used to operate domestic services.

The arrival of another Twin Otter is expected to provide additional capacity for the airline as it continues to serve Vanuatu’s islands.

Mr Deamer said the airline is also working on broader plans to strengthen its financial position and reduce its dependence on government assistance.

“We are trying to encourage some other revenue streams of the company instead of going back every time and asking money from the government to help,” he said.

He said the aim is to move Air Vanuatu towards a position where it can become more self-sustaining.

The airline has already presented some of its plans to government ministers, with discussions continuing between the board, management and the government.

ATR undergoes engine change

While domestic operations continue with the Twin Otter fleet, Air Vanuatu’s ATR is undergoing an engine change.

Mr Deamer said the engine change is required ahead of a major maintenance check.

Rather than keeping the aircraft grounded until October, the airline has arranged to lease an engine, allowing the ATR to return to service while its original engine undergoes an overhaul.

Once the original engine has been serviced, it will be returned and exchanged with the leased engine.

The ATR is expected to continue operating until October before being sent for its major maintenance.

Mr Deamer said Air Vanuatu does not expect to have heavy-duty maintenance requirements in 2027, which should provide greater flexibility for the airline’s operations.

Plans for another ATR

Air Vanuatu is also looking at acquiring another ATR as part of its longer-term fleet plans.

Mr Deamer said the airline sees a need for additional ATR capacity, estimating that it currently needs the equivalent of around one and a half ATR aircraft.

The airline is also looking at expanding into regional and international markets, including potential services to New Caledonia and Fiji.

The proposed expansion would form part of Air Vanuatu’s longer-term plan to introduce additional regional routes while maintaining its domestic network.

For now, the airline’s immediate priority remains strengthening its domestic operations, with the second Twin Otter expected to provide additional support when it arrives in September.

Mr Deamer said the airline hopes the aircraft’s journey from the United States to Vanuatu will proceed without any major problems.