Air Vanuatu

[Flyfrequently]

Air Vanuatu is continuing to have problems with its international network. The sole 737-800 has been grounded in Melbourne for over two months, having last flown on January 15th.

Due to maintenance requirements and a lack of parts, it's expected the aircraft will be out of service until at least mid-April.

The schedule is in havoc yet again. Nauru and Solomons are stepping in, but one of the Solomons A320s required additional maintenance checks last week, and Nauru is tied up with Bonza flying, so they're operating on a very adhoc basis.

Source: Air Vanuatu expands aircraft servicing amid global aviation parts shortages - Travel And Tour World

Thanks for the update @Harrison_133

Gave Vanuatu a miss as could not see their flights departing MEL on Flight Radar/ Flight Aware. Off to Koh Samui instead.

 

[henrus]

Air Vanuatu is continuing to have problems with its international network. The sole 737-800 has been grounded in Melbourne for over two months, having last flown on January 15th.

I'm a bit confused, apparently it's going through a C check in Melbourne according to the Vanuatu Minister of Finance. Apparently the CEO has been acting in that position for over a year and the gov is having to pump a fair amount of $$ in.

A different article reports about $10m but I'm not sure what this is for be it regional or new international aircraft - Gov't hands Air Vanuatu $10mn for new aircraft. Additionally local media (not in English) reports extra money being spent paying existing debt on the ATRs and Beoing:

VBTC - Air Vanuatu i mas pem aot aotstanding lease fastaem.

“Yu no save ronwe long debt blong yu afta yu ko deposit from wan niu plen.” Minister Salong. FOTO: VBTC

vbtc.vu

Vanuatu govt vows support for Air Vanuatu following aircraft grounding - ABC Pacific

Air Vanuatu says it is scrambling to source spare parts from Europe, Asia and the U.S to get its sole jet back in the air.

www.abc.net.au

I would have thought if this C check was known (these sorts of things aren't surprises) why there wasn't more planning around alternative flights (noting that Solomon airlines has had issues as well).

 

[Harrison_133]

Air Vanuatu has recommenced domestic services on a charter basis, with daily flights from Port Vila to Santo and Tanna on the ATR 72-600.

The flights can only be booked at Air Vanuatu sales counters or by calling their reservations line.

Source: Air Vanuatu’s ATR returns to the skies