Air Vanuatu
Vanuatu · AIR VAN · Active
Airline Identity
History
Air Vanuatu was established in 1981 following Vanuatu's 1980 independence, launching its first flight between Sydney and Port Vila on a McDonnell Douglas DC-9 on 5 September 1981, and grew into the country's flag carrier connecting Port Vila to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and other South Pacific points. Wholly government-owned, the airline accumulated financial difficulties for years before its Airbus and ATR fleet was ultimately grounded in 2024.
Current Operations
Air Vanuatu collapsed into liquidation in May 2024, owing creditors roughly US$74 million, a failure that stranded international passengers and about 1,458 Vanuatuan seasonal workers in New Zealand and cost hundreds of jobs. The Government of Vanuatu has since funded a limited restart of domestic-only service - around 28 routes within the archipelago as of mid-2025 - from its Port Vila base at Bauerfield International Airport, while international flights remain suspended; officials have signaled plans to reintroduce ATR72-operated regional/international service by early 2026, though as of the most recent reporting a full relaunch had not yet occurred.
Last verified 2026-09-03· Source: airline public disclosures, company press releases & aviation-industry reporting.