Air Vanuatu's collapse has raised questions about the future of aviation in the Pacific. While experts say the problems are vast, there are glimmers of hope for the region's airlines.
For Vanuatu resort owner Joel Slattery, the collapse of the nation's airline this month seemed inevitable.
For years, state-owned Air Vanuatu was plagued with issues including flight delays and cancellations. As Vanuatu waits to hear what liquidators recommend for the future of its airline, aviation industry experts say its collapse bears lessons for the region. Justin Wastnage, an aviation expert at the Griffith Institute for Tourism, said this appeared to seal Air Vanuatu's collapse.
"Some of the airlines that have folded in previous years, the final nail in the coffin was that there was a maintenance issue and they couldn't fix the aircraft," he said.More than 1,000 kilometres away from Port Vila, Fiji is telling a different story about its national carrier. Dr Tolkach said New Caledonia's airline, Air Calin, might be a better example for a future version of Air Vanuatu to follow.
"And also they can look at how they handle their costs at airports and maybe they start reciprocating — you know, 'We'll handle you here and you handle us there.'"It would have to balance the different interests of Pacific Island nations across the region.
Pacific Airlines Air Vanuatu Fiji Airways Air Calin Virgin Samoa Ernst & Young Liquidation Tourism Vanuatu Tourism Pacific
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