Tourism growth could expand to unforeseen numbers

Tourism growth could expand to unforeseen numbers

Richard Butler | Island Life | 23 Nov 2018 The tourism industries of SPTO member countries will benefit from the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) through the promotion of the China Pacific Tourism Year 2019 (CPTY). This was announced by President Xi Jinping on Friday when he met with Pacific Island Country Leaders from Niue, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, PNG, Cook Islands, FSM and Vanuatu, before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). “With the full support of SPTO member countries at the Council Read more [...]
Virgin Oz mulls deploying Tigerair on South Pacific routes

Virgin Oz mulls deploying Tigerair on South Pacific routes

Richard Butler | Ch Aviation | Aug 17th 2018 Virgin Australia Holdings is considering deploying its Tigerair Australia (TT, Melbourne Tullamarine) unit on South Pacific routes, a filing with Australia's International Air Services Commission (IASC) has revealed. In an application dated August 10, the firm requested the IASC's assistance in transferring route authorities allocated to Virgin Australia (SE Asia) (formerly known as Pacific Blue Airlines (Australia)) to Virgin Australia International, Read more [...]
Put this on your Bucket list

Put this on your Bucket list

By CHEYENNE MACDONALD FOR DAILYMAIL.COM  and AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS | July 10th 2018 A helicopter pilot has shared hair-raising footage of the view just above the mouth of a bubbling volcano. In a jaw-dropping video shared by Vanuatu Helicopters this week, Pilot Andy Martin’s legs can be seen dangling over the massive Benbow Crater on Ambrym Island. The minute-long video shows a glimpse into the terrifying lava lake at the heart of the crater, which sits atop one of the many active Read more [...]
Air Vanuatu announces more international flights

Air Vanuatu announces more international flights

Richard Butler | Daily Post | Feb 2nd 2018 Air Vanuatu has announced additional capacity on international routes with an agreement to lease a Boeing 737 from Nauru Airlines during peak season ongoing until January 2020. The additional aircraft will operate new services between Brisbane and Santo and Vila on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays each week commencing mid June 2018. “Leasing this aircraft allows our own 737 to increase services to Sydney and Auckland,” chief executive officer Read more [...]
PNG ICCC to allow Air Niugini, Air Solomon Islands and Air Vanuatu codeshare agreement

PNG ICCC to allow Air Niugini, Air Solomon Islands and Air Vanuatu codeshare agreement

Richard Butler | Fiji Sun | Jan 19th 2018 The Papua New Guinea Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) plans to allow Air Niugini to continue its partnership with Air Vanuatu and Solomon Airlines in their respective code-sharing arrangements. The commission has proposed that this should continue for three years. The code-share services will be provided under flights operated by Air Niugini. The code-share arrangement with Air Vanuatu will be on the Port Moresby-Port Vila Read more [...]
Tourism as a way to lift the Pacific out of poverty

Tourism as a way to lift the Pacific out of poverty

Richard Butler | TRF News | Nov 6th 2017 The seafront of Port Vila, Vanuatu, bustles with activity. Traders – most of them women – call out to tourists wandering past, imploring them to take a look at a kaleidoscopic island dress or intricately woven basket. These ‘market mamas,’ as they are colloquially referred to, are the backbone of a vital part of Vanuatu’s economy – its tourism industry. Tourism employs 55 percent of Vanuatu’s total labour force, represents 65 percent Read more [...]
Work finally begins on rehab of main Vanuatu airport

Work finally begins on rehab of main Vanuatu airport

Richard Butler | RNZ News | Nov 3rd 2017 Work has finally begun on the rehabilitation of Vanuatu's main international airport in Port Vila. The World Bank-funded Vanuatu Aviation Investment Project is led by a Chinese contractor. China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation's president, Zhao Dian Long, and Vanuatu's prime minister Charlot Salwai presided over a ground-breaking ceremony at Bauerfield. The poor state of Bauerfield's runway came to a head in early 2016 when several Read more [...]