Air Vanuatu said that its reduction in its flights were primarily due to the current pilot shortage. However, the airline has already hired pilots who are set to commence their training in the coming weeks.

Representatives from the airline said that it would only take two pilots to call in sick for a flight schedule to be affected.

“The airline wishes to express sincere apologies from the CEO and full team for the disruption to current domestic schedules. There are currently two problems that are affecting the domestic flights, the first being a shortage of qualified pilots for the domestic routes. Extra domestic pilots have already been recruited and will start work in the coming weeks. The situation has been further aggravated by illness amongst pilots who are suffering this week from the flu. This combination has meant that certain domestic schedules have now been amended. This means the frequency of flights to the following destinations has reduced but they are still serviced by the airline each week. Air Vanuatu has confirmed that these changes do not affect any of the international flights for which they assure their customers they have a full complement of pilots and staff,” the airline said in press release.

The airline also announced in June that with the Government’s subsidy, two Twin Otters will arrive later this year and another ATR aircraft will also be purchased at the same time.

Photo Credit – Air Vanuatu

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