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Qantas and Jetstar have officially announced the start dates for their Vanuatu services after getting the green light from the International Air Services Commission (IASC).
Starting 10 September, Qantas will fly three 737-800 services per week from Brisbane to Port Vila, with the capacity for up to five based on demand, while Jetstar will begin up to four weekly flights from Sydney to Port Vila on 12 December.
The flights will add more than 150,000 seats per year between Australia and Vanuatu following the collapse of the Pacific Island nation’s flag carrier, Air Vanuatu, a codeshare partner of Qantas.
“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,” said Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace.
“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.”
Stephanie Tully, CEO of Jetstar, said Vanuatu is a new destination for the low-cost carrier.
“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,” she said.
“We’re excited to be able to offer more Australians great value holiday options to one of our nearest and most beautiful Pacific Island destinations.”
The IASC last week awarded the Flying Kangaroo 1,798 seats of capacity per week between Australia and Vanuatu, which Qantas plans to fly with a mixture of its own 737-800s, wet-leased Alliance E190s, and Jetstar’s A321neos, putting it in direct competition with Virgin Australia.
Air Vanuatu went into voluntary liquidation last month owing at least $99 million, according to its liquidators Ernst and Young.
Air Vanuatu codeshared with Qantas on daily flights from Sydney to Port Vila, four flights per week from Brisbane to Port Vila, and three flights per week from Melbourne to Port Vila, as well as weekly services from Brisbane to Santo operated for Air Vanuatu by Solomon Airlines.
Ernst & Young indicated this month that non-binding offers are on the table for Air Vanuatu, which is currently undergoing restructuring with the aim of returning it to the skies.
