Qantas is requesting regulatory approval to initiate flights between Australia and Vanuatu, following a similar request from its competitor, Virgin Australia, which aims to expand its capacity on the route.
By J Prakash
In an application submitted to Australia's International Air Services Commission, Qantas seeks permission to allocate 1,798 seats per week to Vanuatu, planning to commence services in August using Boeing 737-800s and Embraer 190 aircraft. Additionally, Qantas intends for its low-cost subsidiary, Jetstar, to start four weekly flights to Vanuatu from October, utilizing Airbus A321neo planes.
Currently, neither Qantas nor Jetstar operate flights between Australia and Vanuatu. However, Qantas had previously partnered with Air Vanuatu through a codeshare agreement. This partnership ended when Air Vanuatu suspended its operations on May 9 and subsequently went into liquidation. Before ceasing operations, Air Vanuatu offered flights connecting Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Port Vila, as well as a newly introduced weekly service from Brisbane to Luganville (Espiritu Santo).
Qantas's request follows Virgin Australia's application on May 13 for an additional 1,304 seats per week, allowing it to add seven more weekly flights to Vanuatu starting in July. The International Air Services Commission's records indicate that as of May 2023, there were 3,120 seats available to Australian airlines under the bilateral air services agreement with Vanuatu. This availability would permit the Commission to approve both Qantas and Virgin Australia's applications without conflict, unless another airline submits a request before the June 5 deadline.
The future of Air Vanuatu remains uncertain, with liquidators currently seeking funds to restart its operations. According to an initial report released on May 16, the airline has net liabilities amounting to $65.9 million, excluding employee entitlements, which are still under review.
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