Air Vanuatu uses Fiji Airways ATR while ATR72 is Away for Maintenance

Air Vanuatu has made arrangements to utilize aircraft and crew from our neighbouring airline Fiji Airways, while Air Vanuatu’s ATR aircraft is sent for the scheduled and normal maintenance servicing. The public and media are reminded that safety audits are a normal part of the requirements of any airline and a big part of the work done each year at Air Vanuatu.

Similarly to the decision Air Vanuatu made to send the Boeing 737 for maintenance to Hong Kong earlier this year, the airline is again investing in international safety and maintenance checks for the ATR. The ATR will be going to Singapore on the 15th of September and will return upon completed works, which are anticipated to conclude in approximately four weeks. Air Vanuatu’s technical staff will accompany the ATR on its journey overseas as part of the airline’s maintenance oversight process. The partnership with Fiji Airways will include the aircraft, crew to operate the aircraft and the support team from Fiji Airways who will be based in Vanuatu.

Air Vanuatu has confirmed that the regular domestic schedule to Santo and Tanna will be maintained with the aircraft provided by Fiji Airways. For services to Noumea and Fiji, arrangements have already been made for Air Vanuatu clients to travel on the partner airlines Air Calin and Fiji Airways during the time the ATR aircraft is being serviced.

At Air Vanuatu this maintenance work is taken very seriously. “We are absolutely committed to safety and will do what is required to maintain our safety standards” says CEO Mr. Finau. The airline has successfully passed all of the three other safety and maintenance audits conducted this year.