Air Vanuatu has confirmed that it is expecting its Boeing 737 aircraft to remain in Melbourne, Australia until April this year.
Air Vanuatu in a statement said its currently facing challenges with servicing its aircraft, specifically due to a global shortage of aviation parts.
It stated that Vanuatu’s national flag carrier continues to operate over 70 percent of its current scheduled international flights, but it is operating in a challenging environment with the airline’s sole Boeing 737 aircraft still awaiting parts, and one of the contracted Solomon Airways A320 aircraft now also requiring engineering works.
“This situation is impacting the international flight operations and maintenance schedules, particularly concerning the Boeing aircraft,” Air Vanuatu stated.
The airline confirmed in the PR that the airline is focusing on two major priorities; first sourcing the required parts from as far afield as Europe, Asia and America to ensure the return of their aircraft to service, and secondly, continuing to operate their schedule with international flights operated mostly by partner aircraft and maintaining domestic schedules with their fleet.
“Globally there are many airlines affected by parts shortages and this is a major concern for the industry,” Air Vanuatu said.
In the statement, Air Vanuatu explained that they choose to use a best-in-class engineering company, in this case AVCRO based in Melbourne, because they understood that a service of this nature is critical to the safety and confidence of operating the aircraft.
“However, the aircraft being located in Australia means that transporting parts to and from the aircraft is time consuming and complex,” the airline said.
“Repairs of this nature are an iterative process where one repair can then lead to other parts sourcing requirements. There is also a competitive situation at play, where the larger airlines with bigger parts contracts are obtaining the parts quicker than Air Vanuatu can.”
Air Vanuatu provided assurances that they are working transparently and in partnership with the owner or lessor of the aircraft regarding the service taking place and that the lessor is fully informed and involved.
They also confirmed that the Solomon Airways A320 aircraft that had been operating the Air Vanuatu flights has unexpected engineering requirements that will shortly be serviced in Australia.
“All airlines are affected by these situations and are working within tight operational and crewing constraints. Until the Air Vanuatu aircraft returns, flights continue to operate using additional Solomon Airways’ aircraft and a Boeing 737 that has been leased by Air Vanuatu from Nauru Airlines,” Air Vanuatu stated.
“Regular updates to schedules for any affected flights are being published on the airline’s website and the contact center staff are contacting affected clients to provide alternate travel options.
“Air Vanuatu provides assurances that they will continue to do all they can to minimize impacts, and to keep everyone regularly informed as the situation evolves.” (Pacnews/Daily Post)