Air Vanuatu goes into liquidation

[henrus]

What about Virgin Vanuatu?

There was a lot more to Virgin Samoa (or Polynesian Blue) then just the name. Whilst it was the Virgin groups way into launching flights to Samoa, essentially the Samoan government didn't want to give Virgin rights to operate without them having some stake (over competition concerns) hence they setup the new company with a 49% Samoan Government ownership. As mentioned up thread it would be ideal for these pacific islands to join forces and create a national airline however pride is a big factor.

Some countries like New Caledonia even blocked VA/JQ claiming that allowing them would bring in "cheap" tourists to the country however in reality it seemed more like protectionism for Air Calin.

They went alright for the best part of 60 years but obviously made some mistakes to lead them to where they are now.

Whilst I agree, the same could be said about Air Vanuatu it's existed in some form since 1981 so 43 years.

 

[Restless]

We have flights booked for June 2-8 SYD-VLI purchased using QF points.
Reading through all the comments above has me pretty despondent. I'm wondering what others would do in my situation?

Flights now available are SYD-BNE-VLI with VA and costing $1570pp (flex Y) which tbh is a lot more than I wanted to pay and would probably rule the holiday out for us.

Does anyone see any light at the end of the (3 week) tunnel for an Air Vanuatu solution being reached within this timeframe? I note Qantas is only offering refunds so far for flights up until May 31st...

 

[UP4014]

But free for all for thousands of Bonza pax?

Obviously propping up International pax is much more costly I understand , but at least they could have looked after QF ticketed.

It’s international so they will want government handouts for this one, just you watch.

As they should probably, being an airline owned by a foreign Govt.

 

[Mattg]

We have flights booked for June 2-8 SYD-VLI purchased using QF points.
Reading through all the comments above has me pretty despondent. I'm wondering what others would do in my situation?

Flights now available are SYD-BNE-VLI with VA and costing $1570pp (flex Y) which tbh is a lot more than I wanted to pay and would probably rule the holiday out for us.

Does anyone see any light at the end of the (3 week) tunnel for an Air Vanuatu solution being reached within this timeframe? I note Qantas is only offering refunds so far for flights up until May 31st...

I don't think Air Vanuatu will be flying in June.

I guess you need to decide whether you still want to take the holiday. If so, maybe wait to see if VA or other airlines add more flights in the coming days and then book if you see something at a price you're OK with.

I would write-off the Qantas booking. Wait for Air Vanuatu to officially cancel the flight and then request a full refund from Qantas. I see no reason you shouldn't receive one if you booked with Qantas points and the flights don't operate.

 

[exLXCXFF]

Going into liquidation - EY appointed

Australia news LIVE: Elon Musk widens legal fight with Australia; Treasurer wants Australians to have more babies

Billionaire Elon Musk widens his legal fight with Australia, the treasurer would like Australians to have more children and some Labor MPs push back against gas plan.

www.smh.com.au

 

[docjames]

Sad for affected pax and staff, but will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Air capacity a driver for tourism, but clearly issues making it economically viable.

Agree with post upthread that a “Virgin Samoa” type deal (with any number of carriers incl NZ, JQ/QF, VA, FJ) would be a good place to start for the government to achieve reliable service and capacity.

 

[exLXCXFF]

Just a thought, given the Mainland Chinese presence on this island, plus the general interest in this region by the PRC, could we maybe see Chinese carriers / Chinese conglomerates stepping in?

 

[Sprucegoose]

The Australian government should be considering the soft power implications of supporting or subsidising an Australian airline flying regular services to and between the south west pacific nations.

You make a lot of sense, and this move would pivot our relationship with neighbours to where they should be. Traditional diplomacy, the Vienna Convention, could be argued to be limited in the current context.

 

[henrus]

I actually feel a little bit sorry for Nauru Airlines. I wouldn't be surprised if they are now creditors of both Bonza and Air Vanuatu. Obviously it goes without saying that it was Nauru Airlines decission to do business with both.

 

[jase05]

I actually feel a little bit sorry for Nauru Airlines. I wouldn't be surprised if they are now creditors of both Bonza and Air Vanuatu. Obviously it goes without saying that it was Nauru Airlines decission to do business with both.

Do Solomon airlines still operate some flights too or is that a lease agreement with the A320’s?
Wonder if they are owed anything either

 

[henrus]

Do Solomon airlines still operate some flights too or is that a lease agreement with the A320’s?
Wonder if they are owed anything either

Probably are, Solomon Airlines was using their A320s however one of them has been having technical issues hence Air Nauru stepping in at times.

 

[jase05]

VA has increased its BNE-VLI service from 3x weekly to 5x weekly for remainder of May and all of June at the government’s request and they have also applied to IASC to increase seat allocation between Australia and Vanuatu so they can add and extra 7x weekly from East Coast to Vanuatu

 

[henrus]

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article...n-could-climate-change-hurt-tourism/vzbw6xp5o

Wrong link?

Virgin Australia to increase flights to Vanuatu after national carrier's collapse

Air Vanuatu entered voluntary liquidation on Friday, restricting access to the island nation.

www.sbs.com.au

 

[HS-TQE]

Would assume VA split the 7x extra Oz-VLI frequencies between SYD and MEL, based on the assumption the IASC application is 'quickly approved'.

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

Revive Australian Airlines as a SW Pacific regional carrier!

 

[SYD]

Revive Australian Airlines as a SW Pacific regional carrier!

Or maybe Bonza 2.0 could ply the air again….

 

[Pug1]

I agree with others that in my opinion it would be in Australia's interest to offer some tangible assistance to ensure Vanuatu and other small pacific nations don't feel they have to look elsewhere to keep flying. There must be a good tourist potential in Vanuatu. Fiji has become an expensive holiday from Oz.

 

[AIRwin]

Looks like VA has scheduled another flight VA9553/9554 tomorrow

 

[henrus]

Both flights have seats for sale tomorrow:

 

[pangwen]

Going into liquidation - EY appointed

For a moment, I was thinking "why is Etihad getting involved here?"