AVL notes that a full year has now passed since the borders closed in late March 2020. The statistics reported for April are now the first year which compare life in our “new normal”.
A full year on, last week saw the safe arrival of the first batch of Covid-19 vaccines to Port Vila Airport. AVL was proud to pay a key role in the process, in handling the international cargo.
Jason Rakau, CEO of AVL commented, “Our statistics this month make for interesting reading, as for the first time, the results are in positive territory, year on year. Partly that is a result of the very limited travel that took place in April 2020, in the initial weeks after the borders closed. The vaccine arrival last week and receiving these statistics have given me pause to reflect on our “new normal”. Domestic air travel has stabilized and international travel continues to be extremely limited due to restrictions. We welcome the vaccine roll out programme, prioritising the inoculation of the most vulnerable and frontline workers, including AVL’s team. We are operating our airports with a focus on day-to-day safety and compliance under these “new normal” conditions and preparing for a future where borders could progressively reopen without quarantine. Our team are committed to working proactively with all the other agencies and departmental stakeholders, under the Tamtam Travel Bubble Taskforce, to achieve this goal”.
March 2021’s passenger results
- Domestic passenger movements for April are 57% up on the same month last year, reflecting the initial period when the borders first closed, and domestic travel was suspended for a period.
- International air travel continues to operate in a limited capacity under the direction of the NDMO. As with Domestic, International passenger movements for April are up on the same month last year, reflecting the immediate period after the borders closed.
Rowland Kalsong, Group Head of Operations commented, “Since Air Vanuatu’s ATR aircraft reentered service, domestic operations have stabilised this year. Our new normal has taken shape and our rostering and roles have been adjusted to match that level of air traffic. As always, our focus is on maintaining safe and compliant airport operations at our three airports, enabling our airline partners to service and support our community’s ongoing need to travel and connect”.
