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Air Vanuatu has put its ATR 72-600 back into service for limited domestic flights.
YJ-AV73 is operating charter services daily between Port Vila and Santo, and between Port Vila and Tanna, complementing scheduled charter services that restarted earlier this month using the Vanuatuan flag carrier’s DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft.
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Customers can purchase tickets at the Air Vanuatu sales counters, or by calling +678 23838.
Liquidator Morgan Kelly, partner in strategy and transactions at EY Australia, said a date will be set for the return of full domestic operations once safety and other requirements have been satisfied, with the resumption of international operations still yet to be determined.
“We continue to focus on reinstating domestic flights for Air Vanuatu, as critical infrastructure across the nation. This is a major step in the restructure of the airline, and we encourage residents to book tickets early as we expect high demand for these scheduled charter flights,” he said.
“We value the support provided by both the Civil Aviation Authority Vanuatu and Vanuatu government for the restructuring of this critical part of the country’s infrastructure for more than 300,000 residents.”
Ernst & Young in June confirmed it had received non-binding offers for the Vanuatuan flag carrier, which went into voluntary liquidation in May owing at least $99 million.
“We have received interest from a range of parties seeking to resume Air Vanuatu’s operations,” Kelly said at the time.
“We’re reviewing these offers and will be working toward a resolution as soon as possible.”
The offers are being considered as part of a structured sale or recapitalisation process, said EY, to secure the best outcome for creditors.
“The assets of the business include international airport slots in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, New Caledonia and Fiji, as well as owned and leased aircraft and other assets,” the liquidator said.
EY at the end of May axed 170 jobs from Air Vanuatu, saying it was looking to “right-size the company’s cost base” as it proceeded with the expressions of interest campaign.
Before entering voluntary liquidation, Air Vanuatu was experiencing maintenance difficulties with its only jet aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, which has not flown since January.
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says:Some colorful words from EY but I can’t see any substance or even any identified forward direction for the enterprise. Having their B737-800 grounded since January needs explaining; – is it AOG still awaiting parts/maintenance or just an unused asset accruing further debt.