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10 September, 2024

New Qantas route from Brisbane to Port Vila takes off with full complement

Edited by Travel Weekly

Qantas’s inaugural Brisbane to Port Vila flight has taken off, heading on its near 3-hour journey to the island destination for the first time.

The first service, QF159, was at full capacity today with holidaymakers and business travellers.

The new route offers three direct flights per week from the Sunshine State, and from 12 December 2024, Jetstar will also offer up to four weekly flights between Sydney and Port Vila.

This will create more than 150,000 new seats each year, across both airlines, between Australia and Vanuatu making it easier for Australians to experience the beaches, culture and unique adventures that Vanuatu has to offer.

“We are thrilled to expand our network with the introduction of direct flights between Brisbane and Port Vila. This new route will maintain connectivity between Australia and the South Pacific, opening new opportunities for leisure and business travel to the region,” Qantas Group CEO International Cam Wallace said.

“With its lush landscapes and crystal blue waters, Vanuatu is a truly remarkable destination and we are proud to offer our customers more ways to experience its natural beauty.”

The new flights will promote tourism between Australia and Vanuatu, strengthening economic ties and providing a boost to the local economy and tourism economy of the broader Pacific region, encouraging ongoing Australian visitation to the island capital.

“The launch of Qantas’ inaugural flight from Brisbane to Port Vila marks a significant milestone for Vanuatu’s tourism industry and strengthens our connectivity with Australia,” Vanuatu Tourism Office CEO Adela Issachar Aru said.

“Vanuatu offers an unforgettable escape, where travellers can immerse themselves in stunning landscapes, rich kastom, and adventure. We can’t wait to welkam Qantas customers to our shores and share the beautiful experiences our 83 islands have to offer.”

Port Vila is one of the Flying Kangaroo’s four new international routes from the Queensland capital that it has launched within 12 months. Today’s inaugural service follows the launch of Brisbane to Wellington and Honiara in October 2023 and the upcoming launch of Brisbane to Manila in late-October 2024, which will add more than 100,000 seats between Australia and the Philippines each year.

“This new Qantas route to Port Vila reinforces Brisbane Airport’s role as Australia’s Pacific hub,” Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan Graaff said.

“The service offers Queenslanders an easy escape to paradise on our doorstep. It also provides the growing number of people from Vanuatu now living in Queensland, particularly those working in the agricultural sector, with direct access to home and family.”

It follows Solomon Airlines’ first flight from Brisbane to Vanuatu’s Santo Espiritu landing at Santo-Pekoa International Airport in July.

Solomon Airlines first flight from Brisbane to Vanuatu lands to round of applause

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