Qantas launches Vanuatu flights

Qantas will begin direct flights between Brisbane and Vanuatu from September 10, while Jetstar will add Sydney-Vanuatu to its network.

Starting from September 10, Qantas will fly its workhorse Boeing 737 three times a week between Brisbane and Port Vila, with the ability to bump that up to five flights per week depending on demand.

Qantas has previously indicated it would move to daily flights in early 2025 using Embraer E190 jets leased from Alliance Airlines.

Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace says the flights will meet growing demand for travel between the two countries and “maintain essential connectivity for leisure and business travel.”

Qantas has been given approval to jet off to Vanuatu.

Jetstar will follow from December 12 with up to four weekly Airbus A321neo LR flights between Sydney to Port Vila.

Tickets for both the Qantas and Jetstar flights go on sale later, Thursday June 27.

Virgin Australia is already jetting off five times per week between Brisbane and Port Villa, with an additional two flights a week lifting off from July 7 – and the option to add even more during peak periods. 

Those flights will take wing every day except Thursday, with two services on Saturdays.

However, despite gaining recent approval from IASC to add Sydney-Port Vila flights to its schedule, Virgin says it’s holding off “in the near term” – partly so that it can focus its available 737 fleet on Brisbane for those peak travel periods.

Both airlines have swiftly entered the space vacated by Air Vanuatu, which entered voluntary administration in May.

In addition, Solomon Airlines will fly direct from Brisbane to Vanuatu’s Espiritu Santo island every Thursday, beginning July 4, although the return leg will make a stop at Port Vila.

Solomon Airlines already has twice-weekly flights from Brisbane to Honiara departing Mondays and Wednesdays.

Additional reporting by Chris Ashton