AIR Vanuatu Chairman Robin Deamer says the government stepped in with fuel subsidies to prevent ticket price hikes amid the Middle East crisis, as the national carrier pushes ahead with fleet renewal and hopes the region can come together to tackle mounting operational challenges.
While confirming the government’s backstop role, he said that fuel depots have three to four months of stock, although cautioning that overseas carriers using local supplies could create pressures in the months ahead.
Deamer revealed that the runway is currently being cleared on the southern island of Tanna, where overhanging trees had prevented fully loaded ATR-72-600 takeoffs. New runways capable of handling larger aircraft are in the works for Malakula and Motalava.
Tourism, Vanuatu’s main industry, is rebuilding after COVID-19, and a major earthquake one year ago that damaged resorts and other buildings, and he said the country desperately needs more visitors and is taking “baby steps” to restore infrastructure.
For its part, the airline has already purchased two fully rebuilt Twin Otter aircraft from Florida-based AMS, with Deamer personally ferrying the first from the United States in January. A second Twin Otter arrives in June. The government has also set aside funds for an additional ATR to reduce the risks of operating a single aircraft.
Deamer identified a global shortage of spare parts and pilots as the region’s biggest challenge. He urged Pacific carriers to stop talking and start collaborating – pooling parts, simulators, and aircraft. One solution that is under discussion at the moment: a regional fuel processing plant in Papua New Guinea.
He was straightforward in his final summation of things: “Airplanes don’t make money when they’re on the ground,” Deamer said. “If you think you’ll operate alone successfully for the next ten years, you might as well throw away the keys.”
