Air Vanuatu
Air Vanuatu was formed in December 1987, the airline has served Vanuatu proudly, bringing visitors and residents to and from the beautiful islands of Vanuatu.
Air Vanuatu has played a major role in establishing Vanuatu as a tourist and investment destination in the last two decades, particularly in it’s closest markets, Australia and New Zealand, and will continue to do so in the future.
It was in 1987 Air Vanuatu began its proud history flying a chartered Boeing 737-200 to Sydney and then onto Brisbane and Melbourne. In 1989 Air Vanuatu purchased it’s first aircraft a 727-200, which was named the “Spirit of Vanuatu”.
Air Vanuatu today operates a new next generation Boeing 737-800 on its international services to and from Australia, New Zealand and Vanuatu.
The launch of a new aircraft livery on the 737-800 captures the true essence of the Vanuatu islands: the sea, sand, mountains and vegetation. Calm interior colours, leather seats and the welcoming smiles of our Ni Vanuatu cabin crew make the inflight experience on Air Vanuatu one you will enjoy.
At the Airport
Air Vanuatu International check in counters open: 2.5 hours before a flight departs
ALL INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS CLOSE 30 minutes before departure.
We recommend travellers and groups check in at least two hours prior to departure. This will allow you enough time to complete immigration and security formalities and avoid causing a flight delay or missing your flight.
Important Information:
Please ensure that you meet the Vanuatu Governments entry requirements by having following document/s ready before you commence your travel :
Confirmed return ticket / e-ticket itinerary
If you do not hold a Visa for one way entry into Vanuatu, you must have proof of a return ticket at time of check-in or uplift will be denied. This document is required to be viewed by Vanuatu Immigration in Port Vila & Santo.
A valid passport
With at least 6 months validity, if you do not have this minimum validity you will be denied uplift. This is a Vanuatu Immigration department requirement.
A Visa or relevant travel documents
For return entry into the country from where you commenced your travel.
Proof of onward ticket
if you are connecting with other international flights, either in: Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Noumea, Nadi, Port Vila, Santo, to Asia, Africa, Europe, Pacific and the Americas.
Baggage Policies
| Class | Check-in luggage | Cabin luggage | Dimensions of luggage |
| Business | 30kgs | 2 Pieces not exceeding 7 kgs | 115cm=56(w)+36(h)+23cm(d) |
| Economy | 23kgs | 1 piece not exceeding 7 kgs | 105cm=48(w)+34(h)+23cm(d) |
| 20kgs Noumea | 1 piece not exceeding 7 kgs | 105cm=48(w)+34(h)+23cm(d) | |
| 20kgs Nadi | 1 piece not exceeding 7 kgs | 105cm=48(w)+34(h)+23cm(d) | |
Baggage for children travelling in business or economy class are entitled to the same baggage allowance as above. Infants are entitled to 10kg for checked-in luggage.
If travelling with friends or relatives you can all pool your baggage allowance together and will all need to check-in together at the airport.
Ensure that your baggage is clearly labelled with your name both inside and outside your baggage.
Excess baggage:
Excess baggage charges will apply when a traveller’s checked-in baggage exceeds the free allowance set by Air Vanuatu. Remember if you are travelling with friends or as a group you can pool your baggage allowance, however you must check-in at the same time.
Special Assistance
Wheelchair Assistance
If wheelchair assistance is required please advise your Air Vanuatu Sales Consultant or your Travel Agent to request your wheel chair prior to departure. Passengers may not take their own wheels chair or aids into the aircraft cabin. Air Vanuatu will provide assistance to passengers with mobility limitations, where required, including transferring passengers to and from their mobility device and the aircraft seat.
There are three types of wheel assistance that can be provided:
SSR WCHR – If you are relatively mobile and can make your own way to your seat on the aircraft but have difficulty with long distance at airports.
SSR WCHS – If you have limited mobility and can make your own way to your aircraft seat but cannot negotiate steps or stairs.If you are dependent on a wheelchair for mobility and require use of an onboard aisle chair or slide board to get to or from your seat on the aircraft.
SSR WCHC – If you are dependent on a wheelchair for mobility and require use of an onboard aisle chair or slide board to get to or from your seat on the aircraft.
Walking Canes, Crutches and Walking Frames Air Vanuatu operates a narrowed bodied aircraft your mobility aid will need to meet the specified size dimensions when adjusted or broken down for our aircraft. Walking canes and crutches may be carried in the aircraft cabin. You may use your cane or crutches to the departure gate and carry it on board the aircraft where it will be stowed in an overhead locker or alternative storage space.
If your walking frame is collapsible and cabin crew can stow it safely, your walking frame can be stowed in the aircraft cabin. For safety reasons, non-collapsible walking frames are not permitted in the aircraft cabin. You can surrender your walking frame at check-in. You will then be transferred to the departure gate in a wheelchair. Alternatively, you can use your frame to the departure gate where it can be surrendered for stowage in the aircraft hold.
To allow Air Vanuatu and its ground handling agent to provide the appropriate levels of assistance, passengers with mobility limitations must allow sufficient time for check-in and boarding.
Expectant Mothers
Can travel up to and including the 35th week of pregnancy. A medical certificate must be sighted, please contact Air Vanuatu before departure to discuss.
Special Dietary Requirements
If you have a specific meal requirement for health or religious reasons, please ensure you mention this to your Air Vanuatu Sales Consultant or your Travel Agent at time of booking.
Children Travelling
Children – Unaccompanied Minor
Air Vanuatu is able to provide assistance for children aged 5 to 11 travelling as an unaccompanied minor on an Air Vanuatu service. Unaccompanied minors can not be booked on-line and bookings must be made through an Air Vanuatu Sales Office or your Travel Agent.
In order to offer the best possible care for your child, we will need for you to provide information including contact details of guardians at both ends of the journey. Your Air Vanuatu Sales Consultant or Travel Agent will provide you with relevant forms that you will need to complete.
Children – Escort for Unaccompanied Minor
Subject to availability, Air Vanuatu may provide a staff escort for unaccompanied minor on request from the Parents/Guardians.
Request should be made at the same time when making a booking with an Air Vanuatu Sales Office and charges will apply.
Children and Infants On Board
If you are travelling with young children or infants our cabin crew will be more than happy to assist you during your flight.
Due to space limitation we are not able to provide on board bassinette.
Strollers are not permitted in the cabin of the Aircraft and must be checked in – Infant luggage allowance is 10kgs.
If you require child meals please notify your travel agent or Air Vanuatu no less than 72 hours prior to your departure.
Frequent Flyer Program
Air Vanuatu offers Qantas Frequent Flyers the opportunity to earn Qantas Frequent Flyer Points on any Air Vanuatu operated service, booked with an Air Vanuatu flight number. Be sure to quote your Membership number at the time of booking. You may also book reward flights on Air Vanuatu; reservations for these must be made directly with Qantas.
The Qantas Frequent Flyer offers frequent travellers a range of benefits and the more you fly with Air Vanuatu and other airline partners, the more points you will be able to earn.
» Booking an award flight
» Flight upgrade awards
» Point calculations
Fleet
Bauerfield International Airport in Port Vila opened in 1991, Air Vanuatu continued to go from strength to strength, replacing the B727-200 with a more modern 737-400 and growing through co-operation with airlines such as Qantas.
Air Vanuatu today operates a new next generation Boeing 737-800 on its international services to and from Australia, New Zealand and Vanuatu.
The launch of a new aircraft livery on the 737-800 captures the true essence of the Vanuatu islands: the sea, sand, mountains and vegetation. Calm interior colours, leather seats and the welcoming smiles of our Ni Vanuatu cabin crew make the inflight experience on Air Vanuatu one you will enjoy.
In early 2009 the arrival of 3 new Y-12 aircraft were added to the domestic fleet and in November Air Vanuatu introduced a new ATR – 72 regional aircraft offering higher levels of comfort. The ATR operates with a maximum of 69 passengers to the Islands of Espiritu Santo and Tanna Island, in addition to regional South West Pacific destinations.
Air Vanuatu now proudly operates one of the youngest fleets of new generation aircraft in the South West Pacific.
Entertainment
Audio entertainment is available with a range of channels to select from on our Boeing 737-800 International services. We screen in-flight information videos on the diverse culture of Vanuatu and the things to see and do.
We recommend that you bring your own electronic entertainment on longer flights ( all International services are under 4 1/2 hours ) due to the limited selection we have on offer. Please remember that the use of electronic devices must not be operated in preparation for landing and take off.
Our domestic and regional South West Pacifc flights offer passengers complimentary copies of Air Vanuatu’s Inflight magazine Island Spirit.
