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AVL’s business plan for 2021 focuses on sustaining the business in this period of reduced flying and therefore reduced aeronautical revenue.

The resulting workforce reduction programme was completed during January, with 65 staff sadly leaving the organisation.

Jason Rakau, CEO of AVL commented, “We did not take the decision to downsize the workforce lightly. Myself, the Executive Team and the Board endeavoured to act in an ethically and morally responsible way and took advice as to how best to work through this process to offer every respect to our team. We engaged with staff, offered them options to select voluntary redundancy or unpaid leave. Every individual had an exit interview and received support in considering alternative employment and financial advice, in achieving the best results for their family from their redundancy payments. Over the past two weeks I have thanked everyone involved for their services and commitment. AVL held kava ceremonies at each of our airports for all staff, to farewell those who left. We value their friendship and their contribution. They will be missed and we wish them well in their future endeavours”.

January 2021’s passenger results

  • Domestic passenger movements for January are down 35% on a year ago. Overall the upward trend in domestic movements has continued, reflecting the welcome return of Air Vanuatu’s ATR aircraft to the fleet.
  • International air travel continues to operate in a limited capacity under the direction of the National Disaster Management Office, to repatriation and cargo flights. International passenger movements for January are down 96% on a year ago.

Kevin Abel, General Manager Operations commented, “As March approaches, we acknowledge it will be a year since international borders closed, which no one would have expected at the time. January is typically one of our best performing international months, and with the vast majority of international travel suspended, our entire business is impacted. While the positive trend in our domestic passenger movements is great, total passenger throughput is down 65% on January 2020. AVL’s business plan focuses on ensuring our infrastructure and facilities remain compliant and our operations are safe, as domestic flights continue and limited international services transport seasonal workers departing Vanuatu”.