The arrival of Air Vanuatu’s second Twin Otter marks another step in rebuilding the national airline and strengthening connections between Vanuatu’s islands.

The aircraft, YJ-AV16, arrived after an eight-day journey from the United States, covering approximately 14,600 kilometres, with five stopovers and 62 hours of flying time, according to Air Vanuatu Chairman Captain Robin Deamer.

The arrival comes as the Government outlines wider plans to invest in aviation infrastructure, improve provincial connectivity and grow the tourism industry into a VT50 billion sector by 2035.

Government targets VT50 billion tourism industry

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Johnny Koanapo said the Government’s focus extends beyond increasing the number of aircraft in the fleet.

He said the wider objective is to rebuild Air Vanuatu properly, learn from past mistakes and strengthen the aviation sector to support tourism growth and connectivity.

Koanapo said the Government is targeting a VT50 billion tourism industry by 2035, with investment in aviation and tourism infrastructure forming part of that ambition.

He also reaffirmed the Government’s goal for Vanuatu to own an aircraft capable of flying internationally by 2030.

The Minister said the Government was working towards this vision through investment in aircraft, airports and partnerships with airlines.

Airport upgrades planned across the country

Koanapo outlined several airport projects the Government is pursuing to improve domestic and international connectivity.

At Bauerfield International Airport, he said the Council of Ministers had issued and signed a contract for redesign work. He indicated the Government would need to commit substantial funding to aviation infrastructure over the next five years, including airport improvements.

At Pekoa Airport on Santo, Koanapo said a contract had been signed for redesign work, with studies expected to be completed next year before the Government proceeds with further development.

He also said the Government had agreed to allocate VT600 million for urgent repairs at Whitegrass Airport on Tanna. The improvements are intended to support the proposed Fiji–Tanna air connection.

At Norsup Airport on Malekula, the Minister said the Government had already committed more than VT3 billion, with the total investment approaching VT4 billion. The Government aims to complete the airport’s tar sealing by the end of this year, with a possible ATR test flight to Norsup if conditions allow.

Koanapo also announced that a contract had been signed for a feasibility study for Motalava Airport, which the Government sees as potentially important for northern connectivity and links towards the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Southeast Asia.

Fiji air services and wider airline partnerships

The Minister said the Government had agreed to sign a new air services agreement with Fiji to enable flights between Fiji and Santo, as well as Fiji and Tanna.

He said improving airport infrastructure would be necessary to support these services.

Koanapo also said the Government was considering how Air Vanuatu could work alongside other domestic operators, including Unity Airlines and Air Taxi, to improve connections to destinations that may not be commercially viable for larger airlines.

He said the Government wanted a coordinated approach that would allow Air Vanuatu to serve major destinations while smaller operators helped provide services to other islands.

The Minister also referred to work to restore online bookings and online payments following the airline’s liquidation, saying the Government was looking at arrangements to support the process.

Chairman praises aircraft performance after long journey

Air Vanuatu Chairman Captain Robin Deamer said the aircraft performed well during its delivery journey from the United States to Vanuatu.

He said the journey covered approximately 14,600 kilometres and required around 14,900 kilograms of fuel, with five stopovers over 62 hours of flying time.

“Throughout the journey, the aircraft performed beautifully. The engine and the aircraft ran beautifully.”

Deamer congratulated the Government on the arrival, describing it as another milestone for Air Vanuatu.

He also said the new Twin Otter includes upgrades compared with the first aircraft, including changes to the nose wheel and cockpit. He said improvements to the wheels would also reduce the need to send them overseas for testing.

Twin Otter strengthens provincial connections

Air Vanuatu Chief Executive Officer Philippe Busson says the new aircraft will help the airline maintain connections to provincial communities, particularly when other aircraft are undergoing maintenance.

“Why does one aircraft matter so much? Because in Vanuatu the Twin Otter is not a luxury. It’s an aircraft that lands where others cannot, on short island strips, on grass close to the sea.”

Busson said the aircraft provides an important link for communities needing access to essential services and opportunities.

“For many communities in our provinces, it’s a link to hospitals, schools, markets and families.”

He said YJ-AV16 joins Air Vanuatu’s fleet as its fifth Twin Otter, providing additional capacity to maintain provincial services.

However, Busson stressed that the aircraft’s arrival does not mean the airline’s recovery is complete.

“It’s not the end of our recovery, it’s one important step in it.”

He said the airline was rebuilding its network island by island and working to restore passenger confidence, with an ATR 72-600 identified as the next step in its fleet plans.

Air Vanuatu says recovery will continue

Busson thanked the Government as the airline’s shareholder, along with the chairman, board and partners, for their support in bringing the aircraft into service.

He said the airline would continue working to rebuild its operations while being careful not to promise more than it could deliver.

“We will not promise more than what we can deliver, but we promise that we will keep working every day to give the people of Vanuatu an airline they can rely on.”

The arrival of YJ-AV16 adds capacity to Air Vanuatu’s fleet as the airline continues its recovery, while the Government pursues wider aviation investments aimed at improving connections between islands and supporting tourism growth.