Qantas and Jetstar have announced that the two carriers will commence direct flights to Vanuatu from September 2024.
Starting on September 10, 2024, Qantas will fly three times a week between Brisbane Airport (BNE) and Bauerfield International Airport (VLI) in Port Vila, with the ability to increase to five per week based on demand.
From December 12, 2024, Jetstar will offer up to four weekly flights between Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) and VLI.
The flights will make up a combined 50,000 new seats each year between Australia and Vanuatu.
Qantas will launch its new flights with its Boeing 737 aircraft, while Jetstar will use its fleet of Airbus A321neo LRs.
Qantas International CEO, Cam Wallace said the new route would help meet continued demand for travel between Australia and Vanuatu.
“We’re thrilled to offer our customers direct flights between Brisbane and Vanuatu and build on this important route which will maintain essential connectivity for leisure and business travel,” Wallace said in a statement.
“We’ve long served Vanuatu through our codeshare partnership and this new route ensures our customers have more choice and consistent service to the island destination we know they enjoy,” Wallace added.
Jetstar Group CEO, Stephanie Tully said Vanuatu is a new destination for Jetstar.
“Ahead of the arrival of our 13th A321neo LR next month and more new aircraft on the way, we’re continuing to grow our international network with the launch of low fares seats between Sydney and Port Vila,” Tully said.
According to Vanuatu’s Bureau of Statistics, Australians make up 62% of overseas visitors in the country.
Located 2,000 kilometers northeast of Brisbane, Vanuatu has shared deep bilateral relations with Australia for decades.
Australia established a presence in Vanuatu in 1978 and championed the case for Vanuatu’s independence in the United Nations and Pacific Forums in the lead up to independence in 1980.
On May 9, 2024, Vanuatu’s flag carrier, Air Vanuatu, grounded its fleet and canceled future flights following the dissolution of the airline’s board.