Communities on Tongoa Island have come together to repair their airport fence in an effort to restore air services to the island.

The initiative was led by chiefs following the recent death of a patient who could not be flown to Port Vila for urgent medical treatment due to the airport being closed.

Instead, the patient had to be transported by banana boat — a journey that ended tragically.

As a result, schools and government offices across the island closed for the day, allowing students, civil servants, and community members to join forces in repairing the airport.

Chairman of the Navitito Council of Chiefs, Chief Ephraim Matariliu, confirmed that airline services have been inconsistent due to the poor condition of the runway.

“This is the main reason why the Council of Chiefs stepped in. We want to ensure the safety of our people. Recently, we lost a life at sea because we had to transport a patient by boat when flights could not land due to runway issues,” he said.

The patient had been receiving treatment at Silimauri Health Centre and required urgent referral to Port Vila.

Issues with animals such as cattle and pigs entering the runway area have long affected the airport’s condition.

To address this, villagers from across Tongoa gathered to install fence posts and rebuild the boundary to prevent animals from entering the airstrip.

“This urgent repair is to help bring back airline services, which are essential for our people. The runway has been damaged by animals moving freely in the area,” Chief Matariliu added.

Member of Parliament for Tongoa, John Amos, also addressed the issue, stating that the problem is not related to land ownership but rather the need for nearby communities to properly manage their animals.

He added that landowners have been advised on the proper processes if they wish for the government to formally take over the airport.