29 Jan 2016

Repairs on Vanuatu airport may start next month

9:25 pm on 29 January 2016

Emergency repairs could get underway on Port Vila airport's deteriorating runway in Vanuatu next month.

The airport has received a $1 million grant to carry out emergency repairs after major airlines - Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia and Qantas - stopped flying into the capital over concerns about the safety of the runway.

Vanuatu Hotel Resorts and Accommodation chairman Bryan Death said it was expected to take about a month for the emergency repairs to be carried out.

A full overhaul of the runway is expected by the end of the year with a $60m grant from the World Bank.