Improving Air Vanuatu - A National Priority

Improving the services offered by the National Airline Air Vanuatu is a priority for the Government of Vanuatu. As such, the Prime Minister, the Honourable Ishmael Kalsakau, has confirmed that he has obtained commitment from the Australian Government to fund a ‘rapid assessment project’ for the airline. The objective of this project is for international airline experts to review the current operations and make recommendations to the airline owner the Government of Vanuatu.

The newly elected government has acted quickly to bring about initial changes including establishing the new board of the airline on the 12^th of December, and in early January this year, replaced the Air Vanuatu Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr Atu Finau with a temporary reinstatement of the former Air Vanuatu CEO Mr Joseph Laloyer.

Today the confirmation of agreement between the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Vanuatu Government on the funding of the airline rapid assessment project further indicates that the airline improvements are a priority. The project team from Australia who are expected to begin this month, have been given 30 days to make initial assessments which includes the financial position of the airline, the operations, and the customer demand. The project has a second phase of a subsequent 45 days that will work closely with the management and board to review human resources, safety, and training in more detail.

It is expected that once recommendations are given, decisions about the future of the airline will be made by the Vanuatu Government. 

The board has confirmed its support to the management team and staff for their ongoing service delivery and thanks everyone for their dedication in these challenging times.