The Government of Vanuatu, through the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities (MIPU) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu (CAAV), has granted a Foreign Air Operator Certificate (FAOC) to Australia’s Alliance Airlines.
This addition complements the services of Qantas and Jetstar, which have been operating in the country following the liquidation of Air Vanuatu last year.
The Acting Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu (CAAV), Wilfred Makaba, informed Daily Post Newspaper that Alliance Airlines will operate as a substitute for Qantas on routes where larger aircraft are not required, deploying its smaller Embraer aircraft.
“The service is scheduled to commence on the 30th of this month, with the inaugural flight arriving in Vanuatu at 2:10pm,” said Makaba.
“This development enhances the number of foreign airlines operating in Vanuatu, thereby boosting tourism. The FAOC granted to Alliance Airlines is valid for 12 months, similar to those issued to Qantas and Jetstar.”
In February 2019, Qantas Airways acquired a 19.9 percent stake in Alliance Aviation Services, signaling a strategic partnership between the two carriers. This collaboration has been pivotal in expanding fleet capabilities and boosting service offerings.
A key aspect of this partnership is the wet-lease agreement, under which Alliance Airlines operates Embraer E190 aircraft on behalf of QantasLink. As of October 2023, Alliance has integrated 26 E190s into its fleet for Qantas, with plans to deliver four more by December 2024, bringing the total to 30 aircraft.
In May 2022, Qantas announced plans to fully acquire Alliance Airlines. However, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) opposed the acquisition in April 2023, citing concerns over reduced competition. Consequently, both airlines terminated the acquisition agreement in October 2023, but their operational partnership continues.
This enduring partnership allows both airlines to leverage each other’s strengths, providing enhanced services to passengers and contributing to the growth of Australia’s aviation sector.
Founded by aviation enthusiasts, Alliance Airlines identified an opportunity to provide safe, efficient, and reliable charter services for the resources industry. The airline’s success stems from being one of the first operators to offer cost-effective solutions for transporting workers to remote resource sites, minimizing disruptions to production schedules.
Initially focusing on the fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) sector, Alliance Airlines secured several resource contracts due to its strong reliability and operational performance. Over time, it expanded its fleet and services, becoming Australia’s largest national air charter operator for the resources industry.
Beyond the resources sector, Alliance Airlines has provided tailored group travel experiences, catering to school sports teams, government delegations, corporate events, and unique charter requests. The airline is fully compliant with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulatory standards and was the first Australian airline to receive the Gold Standard Flight Safety Foundation Basic Aviation Risk Standard (BARS) accreditation.
With its reputation for reliability and customised service, Alliance Airlines now extends its reach to Vanuatu, further strengthening air travel options in the region.
