VANUATU has a second gateway to New Zealand with the introduction of a Port Vila–Christchurch service by Solomon Airlines.
The inaugural flight to New Zealand’s South Island was operated on Thursday using an Airbus A320 aircraft carrying 125 passengers.
Solomon Airlines CEO Matthew Findlay said the new route had generated strong demand, with around 2000 forward bookings confirmed in the coming months.
The service on Tuesdays and Saturdays complements Solomon Airlines’ four weekly Auckland–Port Vila services.
A spokesperson for Vanuatu’s Department of Tourism said additional air access provided greater travel choice for visitors and supported continued growth in arrivals from the New Zealand market.
The Vanuatu and Solomons governments agreed to the new service after years of negotiations.
Air Vanuatu operated a Port Vila–Auckland service four times a week until 2024 when it went into voluntary liquidation and lost its Boeing 737 aircraft. Those routes are now operated by Solomon Airlines.
