Air Vanuatu to offer daily international connections to Santo

10 September 2009:Air Vanuatu has announced plans are currently underway to enable daily international connecting flights to Santo island. This significant infrastructure investment in Santo will enable passengers to check in at Santo for their flights departing Port Vila the same day. “This will not only be a time saver for our international passengers, but it will enable a smoother check in process and encourage more tourists to visit the northern islands,” acting CEO Dimitri Politis said. Currently, visitors must check in at Santo airport, collect their bags at Vila domestic terminal then check in again at the international terminal. “It’s an inconvenience and one we would like to fix,” Mr. Politis said. The airline has invested in new check in terminals to enable the connections and shortly Santo’s domestic staff will be trained for the new system.

Mr. Politis said Air Vanuatu domestic flights from Vila to Santo carry more passengers to the northern island than the direct international flight, so it makes sense to enable daily connecting flights. “Once this system is up and running, we will be able to market daily international flights to Santo, resulting in a boost to tourism numbers,” he said.

The new system will allow passengers on connecting flights to check their bags in at Santo airport without the need to collect again in Port Vila. Immigration and customs formalities would be completed in Port Vila. The new system is expected to be up and running before the end of the year. Media inquiries: Tiffany Carroll tel +678 7747153.