Travellers stranded by shutdown
THE shutdown of Vanuatu’s airline has left holidaymakers stranded.
Air Vanuatu has cancelled all of its international flights until tomorrow, and later flights are under review as it considers voluntary administration. Ernst & Young representatives arrived in Port Vila on Thursday to begin an assessment of Air Vanuatu’s financials and are being assisted by the Vanuatu government and the Air Vanuatu team.
Board of Airline Representatives New Zealand executive director Cath O’Brien said it was still an emerging situation. She recommended passengers sit tight, await news from the airline or the administrators, and do not travel to the airport.
At present flights operated to and from Auckland to Port Vila as well as Brisbane, which were operated by Virgin Australia on behalf of Air Vanuatu. It was too soon to predict if other airlines might step in. It was sad Air Vanuatu was faced with such challenges, Ms O’Brien said.
The costs of leasing and the maintenance of aircraft, paying for fuel and sustaining a steady flow of income were difficult.
Independent airline com
mentator Irene King said Air New Zealand or an Australian carrier were likely to step in to bring stranded passengers home from Vanuatu.
Other airlines have helped in the past.
In regards to a Newshub report on Thursday that a chainsaw and a container of petrol were loaded on to a flight from Christchurch to Sydney and it was not picked up by security screening, Ms
King wanted to know how it could have happened.
‘‘Fuel is obviously a dangerous good . . . because it’s combustible so we cannot have fuel sources that could ignite.’’
The breakdown had occurred during the screening process in Christchurch.
It was not picked up until the flight reached Australia and officials there picked it up before it took off for another destination. ‘‘Airlines absolutely rely on Avsec [Aviation Security] to be doing its job to screen baggage to make sure it’s safe for travel. ‘‘Of course airlines always ask passengers [to not] take dangerous goods or pack them appropriately.’’
The Newshub report said an inquiry had been held by Avsec and the staff member involved was undergoing more training. Civil Aviation is also looking into the incident.