Government has confirmed a major infrastructure upgrade to Santo’s Pekoa Airport, with plans to extend the runway by 1,000 metres to accommodate long-haul international flights from countries such as China, Japan, Singapore, and beyond.

The expansion is part of a larger development initiative, broken down into four key packages to allow for structured implementation and effective tracking of the project’s progress.

According to the Minister of Finance and Economic Management, Hon. Johnny Koanapo, the total cost of the project is estimated at 18 billion Vatu, once all four phases are combined.

“This is a significant investment, and a clear signal of our government’s commitment to national infrastructure and economic growth,” said Minister Koanapo.

The first package alone is valued at over 4 billion Vatu, with 3 billion Vatu already allocated last year to initiate the work. This initial phase primarily involves the purchase of surrounding land to provide adequate space for the runway extension.

During this week’s first ordinary session of Parliament, an additional 398 million Vatu was approved as a supplementary budget to support the ongoing activities under the first package.

Minister Koanapo stressed that the project will be entirely government-funded, signaling a move away from heavy dependence on donor aid.

“If we are serious about owning this project, we must fund it ourselves,” he said. “This will show our people that we are committed to developing our own country with our own resources.”

He further confirmed that construction work is expected to commence within the next few weeks, marking a significant milestone in the government’s vision to boost international connectivity and tourism potential in northern Vanuatu.