Air Vanuatu Statement
22 March 2020
Air Vanuatu is providing an update on its international operations.
All operations are operating in accordance with directives and guidelines established by Vanuatu’s National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), The Vanuatu Immigrations Services, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu, and relevant authorities in Australia and New Zealand.
INBOUND FLIGHTS FROM OVERSEAS PORTS
Following the issuance of Travel Advisory 8 by the NDMO on Thursday 19 March at 17:70, Air Vanuatu recommenced uplifting Ni-Vanuatu citizens and residents from Australia and New Zealand this weekend.
Travel Advisory 8 states:
1.4. Permanent Residents, Diplomats and citizens of Vanuatu will be allowed to return but will be quarantined for 14 days upon arrival before they can be allowed back to their families and communities.
The directive was issued the same day NDMO had been appointed to take over the responsibilities of the previously commissioned Vanuatu Coronavirus Taskforce.
Approval was granted by NDMO Director Abraham Nasak to allow Ni-Vanuatu citizens and permanent residents to return home, subject to the following conditions:
- All Ni-Vanuatu citizens and permanent residents must be self-quarantined by the Vanuatu Health Cluster upon arrival in Port-Vila
- The airline is required to seek approval from the Vanuatu Immigration Services before the customers can board the aircraft, on a case by case basis.
- All passport details must be submitted to the Vanuatu Immigrations Services before take-off.
- The Vanuatu Immigrations Services will then provide the customer details to the Health Cluster in order to arrange their quarantine (rooms, beds, meals etc.) upon arrival.
- The Health Cluster officials are responsible to transport all the returning Ni-Vanuatu Citizens and Permanent Residents immediately after arrival to the identified quarantine area where they will remain quarantined for 14 days.
Ni-Vanuatu citizens and/or permanent residents currently in Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia and Fiji are advised to register with their nearby Vanuatu Consulate Office and Vanuatu Immigration Services
Australia – H.E Samson Fare
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +61 416 347 994
New Zealand – H.E Johnson Naviti
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +642 120 9236
New-Caledonia – H.E Serge Alain Mahe
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +687 93 47 89
Fiji – H.E Nikenike Vurobaravu
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +679 789 7897
Vanuatu Immigration Services :
Mr. Olivier Napuat
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +678 5339351 or +678 7305058
Stephen Willie
Mobile: +678 7340785
OUTOUND FLIGHTS FROM PORT VILA
Air Vanuatu has received approval from the NDMO to operate outbound fights to Australia and New Zealand so that it can return remaining foreign nationals back to their home countries, following recent border closures.
With the support of the Vanuatu Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Australian High Commission and the New Zealand High Commission, Air Vanuatu has scheduled its last international flights based on the advised number of remaining foreign nationals in the country.
These flights have been approved by NDMO:
Sunday 22 March 2020
Port-Vila / Auckland / Port Vila
Monday 23 March 2020
Port Vila / Sydney / Port Vila
Tuesday 24 March 2020
Port Vila / Brisbane / Port Vila
Wednesday 25 March 2020
Port Vila / Brisbane / Port Vila
Upon completion of the above flights, Air Vanuatu will cease international operations until further notice, unless requested by NDMO and approved to operate.
Foreign nationals currently in Vanuatu and holding Air Vanuatu tickets are encouraged to register with their consulates.