Airports Vanuatu Limited (AVL) will carry out a major renovation and upgrade of the Bauerfield Airport terminal this year.

Chief Executive Officer Jason Rakau told VBTC News that the project is significant, with the scope expected to take about six months to complete. He said the project would require a substantial budget.

“We have a terminal renovation plan that we are working closely on, and we thank the Public Works Department and everyone at the Ministry of Infrastructure. This is an active project we aim to complete this year to renovate and reorganize the current terminal,” Mr. Rakau said.

“The focus will be on improving passenger experience during arrivals and departures. Currently, we experience busy periods, particularly in the afternoons, when many international flights arrive at the same time.”

The airport, built in the 1990s, now handles more passengers than it was designed for. Mr. Rakau added that a new board and shareholders are strongly pushing to address these issues.

“As part of the ongoing work, we have already installed air conditioning in the departure areas to make the space more comfortable,” he said.

The project will also aim to expand arrival areas and, where possible, public spaces. Processing areas, particularly for arrivals, will be enlarged to handle growing passenger numbers. Toilet facilities will also be improved.

VBTC News reports that the project will take some time due to the size and cost involved, but Mr. Rakau hopes it will be completed by the end of the year.

The last major upgrade was in 2018, costing around 400 million vatu. With passenger numbers now exceeding the airport’s original capacity, the renovation is seen as a necessary step to modernize the terminal.