Airlines pull out of Vanuatu

Virgin Australia has suspended its flights from Brisbane to Vanuatu along with Air New Zealand who has also suspended its flights from Auckland to Vanuatu due to concerns over the condition of the runway at Bauerfield International Airport. “We are working with authorities in Vanuatu to ensure the condition of the runway remains safe at all times and will continue to work closely with the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority,” Virgin said in a statement.
While Air Vanuatu plans to maintain jet services at Port Vila Airport, the airline’s pilots will have the “final say” on whether the flights will operate. A World Bank concessional loan of US$59.5m (A$86.3m) to the Vanuatu Government was announced in 2015 that would include runway resurfacing. However, the work has not commenced leaving the runway to deteriorate.
Air Vanuatu has kept its Boeing 737-800 flights operating subject to ongoing inspections of the airfield.
Port Vila airport (IATA: VLI, ICAO: NVVV) has a single asphalt runway, 11/29, and it is 2,600m (8,530 feet) in length and it is 21m (65 feet) above sea level.