Bauerfield has reached this state after years of neglect and mis-management by AVL.
In recent months corruption scandals , lack of transparency, and government interference have all contribute to the demise.
We have qualified and capable ni-vanuatu that can take charge , yet they are not selected due to the nepotism and Govt appointees that win at the end of the day,resulting in money going missing. Carriers pay Ldg fees, so where has all the money gone??
We have an air-conditioned VIP terminal, seldom used , new, yet both international and domestic terminals are falling apart and yet to be up-graded since the bad colonial days. Airport approach lighting has been out for months, beacons intermittent, fire trucks always inop and to add insult to injury,last month, they fired the last European ATC standards guy , as he highlighted problems within the system.
What this country needs is a proper international airport, not a regional one, something to handle wide-body and the only solution is to up-grade Santo Pekoa with 3200m of new tarmac that was surveyed in 1943 with nice clear take off and landing approach paths.
Bauerfield was purposely built near the ridge by the Seabees to safe guard against Japanese aerial attack and has passed its used by date by about 40 years.
Should Australia help I hear you say; then if so make sure you bring in Australian workers and especially management staff to oversee the procurement of equipment and finances .
NF is also bleeding for similar reasons, ATR lies rotting on the grass with missing motors,leasing a clapped out 737 in the interim whilst the new one comes, Otters in dire need of refurbishment , Yes the state of Aviation has come rock bottom. Having lost their IOSA audit, it may be best Jetstar or someone similar take over international Ops.
NF needs to privatize to change the working mentality of its overstaffed workforce, similarly AVL needs competent management to get the essential work done
