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Virgin Australia latest carrier to halt Vanuatu flights
Wednesday, 29 Jan, 2016
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Virgin Australia announced has finally decided to postpone flights to Vanuatu due to concerns over the deteriorating runway at Port Vila Airport.
The carrier had been monitoring the runway’s condition this week after Qantas and Air New Zealand postponed flights.
Virgin will not resume service ‘until we have greater confidence that the runway will be maintained appropriately. ‘
Virgin offers three flights a week between Brisbane and Port Vila and will run one last return service from Vanuatu on Saturday January 30.
"Customers who are booked to travel to or from Vanuatu will be provided with a number of options, such as a refund, change of destination or travel credit," an airline statement said.
"We will continue to work with authorities in Vanuatu and plan to recommence services between Brisbane and Vanuatu as soon as we are confident that appropriate measures are in place."
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu has ordered the airport operator to quickly rectify the problem.
"It is a fact that the runway is urgently due a resurfacing or repair and this was further exacerbated by the effects of the recent Tropical Cyclone Pam," CAAV director Joesph Niel said.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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