Air Vanuatu’s Boeing 737 aircraft has returned to service from Thursday 28 September.
Service interruption was caused due to a mechanical fault with the auxillary power unit (APU). A replacement has been sourced and is being shipped from the UK to Brisbane to be fitted on the aircraft but a loan part has been installed in the interim. The airline anticipates the part arriving mid to end of next week.
Air Vanuatu has confirmed the current Boeing 737 aircraft is in compliance with all regulatory and manufacturing requirements. Safety is of the utmost concern to the airline, and Air Vanuatu remains fully committed and compliant to all required safety standards.
With the Air Vanuatu aircraft now returned to limited service, additional flights are immediately being implemented and new interim international flight schedules are available online at https://www.airvanuatu.com/travel-info/travel-advisories/akl_syd_mel_bne-service-advisory. Air Vanuatu advises travellers to continue to check the website as a first stop for the latest information.
As part of the interim recovery schedule operating 28 September through 30 September, Air Vanuatu’s Boeing 737 is now operating between Sydney and Port Vila, and Solomon Airlines is continuing to operate flights between Brisbane and Santo and Port Vila. Air Vanuatu is continuing to receive additional support from Nauru Airlines over the coming days, and Fiji Airways has assisted with international flights to Sydney and Melbourne, and from Auckland for RSE workers.
Air Vanuatu is continuing to assist customers, offering full refunds for guests affected by cancellations. Travellers who booked via an agent are advised to contact their agents for a refund, while passengers who booked through Air Vanuatu should contact Air Vanuatu directly at customercare@airvanautu.vu to request a refund. Per the airline’s disruption policy, meals and accommodation will continue to be covered by Air Vanuatu.
Further schedule updates will be provided online and to customers in due course, and upon the permanent mechanical part arriving and being fitted in Brisbane, with engineering requirements met.
