New Qantas flights to Vanuatu
After getting approval from Australia’s International Air Services Commission, Qantas has announced it will begin flying to Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila, from Brisbane and Sydney. Both routes are still subject to other government and regulatory approvals.
Qantas will fly between Brisbane and Port Vila three times a week from September 10, with the capacity to raise the route frequency to five flights a week according to demand.
Meanwhile Jetstar will operate four flights per week between Sydney and Port Vila from December 12, 2024.
Combined, the two routes will offer 150,000 seats between Australia and Vanuatu each year.
Qantas had a codeshare arrangement with Air Vanuatu before it went into liquidation in May.
Virgin Australia has also been approved to increase its flight frequency between Australia and Vanuatu but has made no official announcements regarding extra flights.
Seasonal international flights return to regional Australia
Broome and Cairns are seeing the return of seasonal international routes for the first time since the pandemic.
A Jetstar Asia route between Singapore and Broome relaunched last week, marking the first time an international flight has landed in regional Western Australia since the pandemic closed Australia’s international borders in 2020.
The Singapore-Broome service will run twice a week until October 26.
On the other side of Australia, Cathay Pacific has committed to connecting Cairns and Hong Kong three times a week between December 17, 2024 and March 29, 2025.
“It has been nearly five years since Cathay Pacific has flown out of Cairns and we are thrilled to be bringing our services back,” said Cathay Pacific’s regional general manager for the Southwest Pacific, Frosti Lau.
“This seasonal service will offer direct access to Hong Kong and provide seamless connections to the rest of the world, including into London, the Chinese Mainland, India and the US.
“It will also encourage inbound visitors from Europe, the US, Canada and key Asian markets – all ready to explore the stunning Cairns region.”
Both these services are supported by government aviation attraction funds in each state.
Further south in Queensland, Air New Zealand has resumed its seasonal service between Auckland and Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast.
The service will run three times a week until October 25, 2024.
