1 Aug 2014

Vanuatu airport project cancelled

4:41 pm on 1 August 2014

Vanuatu's government has abandoned a project with a Singapore company to develop an international airport.

The plan was introduced by the recently removed Prime Minister, Moana Carcasses, and met with strong opposition from MPs over the unclear terms of the 350 million US dollar contract and the airport's location.

An ad-hoc parliament committee decided the plan's risks outweighed the benefits and favoured the Singapore company instead of the government and people of Vanuatu.

An Air Vanuatu plane taking off

An Air Vanuatu plane taking off Photo: RNZI

It recommended any future projects be based on an aviation master plan.

The Prime Minister, Joe Natuman, says the government supports a new airport but its current focus is on repairing the existing Bauerfield airport.