5 Oct 2016

Vanuatu says runway ready for Air NZ

8:11 am on 5 October 2016

Vanuatu's infrastructure minister says Air New Zealand has cleared the runway at Port Vila for flights by A320 aircraft.

The airline suspended services in January over concerns about the safety of the runway.

That sent the government scrambling for a World Bank loan to carry out short-term repairs, which were completed in June.

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Photo: RNZ

Virgin Australia has resumed its services, but Air New Zealand refused to return until a longer-term solution was confirmed.

Vanuatu's infrastructure minister, Jotham Napat, has told RNZ International a report by the airline says the runway is acceptable for operations, which he is pleased with.

However, there has been no confirmation that services will resume in the near future.

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