Port Vila's Runway
 

I've seen some shockers throughout Asia but this must be bad, QF/ANZ/VA withdrawing flights.

Potholes galore, loose ashphalt...beyond use apparently. Too high risk of potential damage to control surfaces from loose debris.

Meanwhile the other backdoor operators keep operating...

I thought VA were still going in there, although I stand to be corrected. Is PX still going in?

I would like to see photos out of curiosity.

Virgin are out.

Virgin Australia suspends flights between Brisbane and Vanuatu over runway fears - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Australia should offer to fix the runway from our Foreign Aid budget, send in the Army. Fixed in quick time and would benefit the whole community. More tourists mean $$ in the economy, simple really.

Ah yer, so the Australian taxpayers have to throw another few hundred grand or millions on a runway that serves tourists in a foreign country.

If the runway condition had deteriated so much that it's unusable to jets, one must question how it got to this stage. I have no issues with Australia helping out, however we must be looking at the long term solution, if we are going to throw money at it. How do the airport owners maintain the aerodrome, why has it got to this stage of disrepair.

Interesting that the current Notam (issued 3 days ago) indicates the runway is operational.

How, unless you have local knowledge or contacts, are you to determine that there are concerns?

<Interesting that the current Notam (issued 3 days ago) indicates the runway is operational.>

If you read further it mentions "For a CUB" :rolleyes:

Recolonisation.
Wanim taim masta bilong ol kam bek?
30-40 years post independence is normally enough to dig the hole.

Most of those tourists are Australian. I'm certainly not into unfettered aid being thrown around but, quite frankly, I'd rather have their runway repaired and us be able to travel to Vanuatu than the millions that's being spent on looking for another country's aircraft, with other countries' passengers, in waters that aren't even considered Australian. Altruistic I ain't.

All well and good to fix the runway at Australian taxpayers expense, however once the job has been done will they be able to maintain it? Let's just give them a couple of fire trucks in the process?

Virgin are not "out". They plan a service on Saturday.

I hear you and agree. Mind you, I don't think they were helped out with the nasty bit of weather they had last March :ooh: Maybe they've been spending their money elsewhere after the islands got levelled.

Virgin's last flight out on Sat is full, the only other direct way to Australia is Air Vanuatu.

No doubt will be expensive to get out of there now the main three have pulled. Only Air Vanuatu direct to Australia or go via Fiji.

Pontius,
I hardly think the runway deterioration is attributable to the 12 months since the cyclone.
Bauerfield is critical infrastructure for tourism dollar. I guess they figured other things were more important.

Either you help. or not.
 

This country is pretty much down at heel, BUT, they are out neighbors. They were a down at heel colony then the anglo french consortium set them adrift.

So make your minds up, either we (Aus or NZ) help them to restart their economy, or we dont. Without a functioning airport they are cactus.

They need tourists to keep their fragile economy running.

Maybe we should be a little more respectful of our neighbors, after all, they were in the region before most of us.

End rant....

Government owned Air Vanuatu are currently taking delivery of a new leased B738, so presumably the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works Utilities, Civil Aviation Department of Vanuatu sees no issues with the Bauerfield air strip? They also have one ATR42-600 and three DHC6 on order.

Why should Australia continually repair developing nation infrastructure, when airstrip maintenance is a perpetually on-going process?

Limelight is right. Australia needs to do more to help our near neighbors than those we help who are more distant. Such help must include programs to ensure that money is spent as intended. Rather than give dollars, we should provide everything but train the locals at the same time.

Paying some $$ toward fixing the runway may go a long way to preventing another "failed state" in our region. The political situation in a number of countries in the pacific region has been marginal for a number of years. In the absence of employment opportunities, the natives will get restless and things will deteriorate.

It's in Australia's national interest to make sure our closest neighbours in the SW Pacific are stable, if anything to limit the growing Chinese influence in some of these countries.

Exactly, wishiwas.
I know China has been keeping a close eye on Vanuatu (amongst others) to see how they can best 'help'.
ISTR there was some talk of 'fishing rights' a while back.

In any case, I'd be asking to 'see the books' as a pre-condition of assistance.