The Vanuatu government says it is optimistic urgently needed repairs of Bauerfield Airport in Port Vila will be underway by early next year.
That comes after the Vanuatu parliament scrapped a controversial plan for airport developments, which involved a 350 million US dollar contract with Singapore-based company, Vanuatu Trade Development Limited.
A bi-partisan committee of 16 members has since been appointed to look into the upgrade.
A government spokesperson, Kiery Manassah, says the airport's repairs are a pressing priority and a World Bank team has arrived in Vanuatu to do preliminary work.
"I am very optimistic. As soon as we get the geotechnical study done, and my information is that it should be completed before the end of the year, then hopefully by early next year we should be seeing some real work done on the ground at Bauerfield."
Kiery Manassah says China and New Zealand have both indicated they will help Vanuatu finance the airport upgrade.
Port Vila international airport Photo: RNZ
