Australia's second airline, Virgin Australia, has restarted flights between Australia and the South Pacific island of Vanuatu.
A short flight to paradise
Last Friday, Virgin Australia resumed its direct services between Australia and Vanuatu, a South Pacific island located around 1,900 kilometers (1,200 miles) from Brisbane. The inaugural flight departed Brisbane Airport (BNE) at 11:36 and, after a 2:23 hour flight, touched down in Vanuatu at Port Vila Bauerfield International Airport (VLI) at 14:59.
The flight was operated by a nine-year-old Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800, registration VH-YIU and manufacturer serial number 40699. The aircraft spent just under two hours in Vanuatu before departing at 16:40 and landing back in Brisbane at 18:30. According to ch-aviation.com, Virgin Australia has sixty-seven 737s in its fleet, including seven 737-700s and sixty 737-800s. The Boeings have an average age of 21.8 years and will soon be joined by 737 MAX 8s.
The nonstop service between Brisbane and Port Vila will operate up to five times per week in peak periods and up to three times per week in off-peak periods. This is the latest step for Virgin Australia in rebuilding its international presence after that side of the airline ceased when it was placed in administration. Virgin Australia (VA) is focusing on short-haul international destinations, with flights already operating in the Pacific to Samoa and Fiji.
The services to Samoa's Apia Faleolo International Airport (APW) operate from Brisbane and Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD). Fiji Nadi International Airport (NAN) is serviced from three Australian east coast cities, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne Airport (MEL).
VA is also flying between the Gold Coast Airport (OOL) and Bali, Indonesia, operating in and out of Denpasar Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). The Brisbane-based airline said it will add new short-haul international services to grow its international capacity by 50% from FY2023 to FY2024.
A 20-year connection to Vanuatu
VA chief strategy and transformation officer Alistair Hartley said the addition of the island destination to Virgin Australia's network gave holidaymakers greater choice when it came to planning a getaway right on their doorstep. He added:
"This is an important and long-standing connection for Virgin Australia, which started flying between Australia and Vanuatu nearly 20 years ago. It means Australians now have another wonderful Pacific Island destination just a short flight away and an opportunity to enjoy the unique beauty and culture of Vanuatu.
"This is also really positive news for Vanuatu which relies on connections like these as a source of tourism and to connect friends and family across the Pacific."
VA has launched the route with a 'Low Fare, More Air' sale with return Economy Lite airfares available from AU$459 ($300). Tourism is the lifeblood of many Pacific Islands, and Vanuatu Tourism Office CEO Adela Issachar Aru said she was excited to see more Australians answer the call of Vanuatu and to see "Virgin Australia's red and purple in our skies again."
"Australian visitation has continued to rise steadily since Vanuatu's borders reopened in July 2022, and greater connectivity to Vanuatu, thanks to Virgin Australia, will help us welcome even more holidaymakers to our shores in 2023 and beyond."