Just read an article relating to the (alleged) poor maintenance records for Air Vanuatu. Has anyone experienced maintenance issues such as (regular) engine failures. If so, is this local flights or international as well. I see that their air safety rating is 4/7 on the internet?
I was considering going to dive the Coolidge again , however the issue of maintenance and also runway safety gives me some concern. What do other divers think? Anyone with bad experiences of late?
"Air New Zealand yesterday suspended all flights to and from Vanuatu because of the condition of the runway at the airport in the capital, Port Vila.
Vanuatu Hotel & Resorts Association president Bryan Death said other carriers who fly to Port Vila could follow Air New Zealand's lead and that would be disastrous for the tourism industry, which has been recovering from Cyclone Pam last year.
Mr Death said a film crew was working on a campaign to attract people to Vanuatu this coming winter.
The footage that had been shot may never be used, as there was no point in running the campaign if no one could travel to the country, he said.
Air New Zealand said it would take passengers who are already in Vanuatu home on a final flight tomorrow, and refund people who have booked flights.
Air Vanuatu is also reviewing the situation, and will make a decision within days.
The airline said one possibility included shuttling passengers to the island of Santo, and operating international flights from there."
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"Following the move, Qantas swiftly announced the suspension of its codeshare agreement with Air Vanuatu.
“Due to concerns over the condition of the runway at Port Vila International Airport in Vanuatu, Qantas is suspending its codeshare agreement with Air Vanuatu effective immediately,” the airline said in a statement.
However, Virgin Australia safety experts conducted a review of the airport this weekend and the airline will continue to fly there.
“Following this review, we have concluded that currently our aircraft can continue to safely operate in and out of Port Vila,” a Virgin Australia spokesperson toldnews.com.au.
“We are working with authorities in Vanuatu to ensure the condition of the runway remains safe at all times and will continue to work closely with the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
“We continue to monitor the condition of the runway and Virgin Australia will immediately cease all operations between Australia and Port Vila if we are not convinced that the runway is suitable for continued operations.
“Safety is always our number one priority and Virgin Australia would never put its passengers, crew or aircraft at risk.”
I was considering going to dive the Coolidge again , however the issue of maintenance and also runway safety gives me some concern. What do other divers think? Anyone with bad experiences of late?
"Air New Zealand yesterday suspended all flights to and from Vanuatu because of the condition of the runway at the airport in the capital, Port Vila.
Vanuatu Hotel & Resorts Association president Bryan Death said other carriers who fly to Port Vila could follow Air New Zealand's lead and that would be disastrous for the tourism industry, which has been recovering from Cyclone Pam last year.
Mr Death said a film crew was working on a campaign to attract people to Vanuatu this coming winter.
The footage that had been shot may never be used, as there was no point in running the campaign if no one could travel to the country, he said.
Air New Zealand said it would take passengers who are already in Vanuatu home on a final flight tomorrow, and refund people who have booked flights.
Air Vanuatu is also reviewing the situation, and will make a decision within days.
The airline said one possibility included shuttling passengers to the island of Santo, and operating international flights from there."
----------------
"Following the move, Qantas swiftly announced the suspension of its codeshare agreement with Air Vanuatu.
“Due to concerns over the condition of the runway at Port Vila International Airport in Vanuatu, Qantas is suspending its codeshare agreement with Air Vanuatu effective immediately,” the airline said in a statement.
However, Virgin Australia safety experts conducted a review of the airport this weekend and the airline will continue to fly there.
“Following this review, we have concluded that currently our aircraft can continue to safely operate in and out of Port Vila,” a Virgin Australia spokesperson toldnews.com.au.
“We are working with authorities in Vanuatu to ensure the condition of the runway remains safe at all times and will continue to work closely with the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
“We continue to monitor the condition of the runway and Virgin Australia will immediately cease all operations between Australia and Port Vila if we are not convinced that the runway is suitable for continued operations.
“Safety is always our number one priority and Virgin Australia would never put its passengers, crew or aircraft at risk.”