Volcano disrupts flights

July 20, 2026 10:25 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Doddy Morris.

Virgin Australia has confirmed that it cancelled flights between Brisbane and Port Vila on Sunday and Monday due to volcanic ash from the ongoing eruption of Ambae Volcano, saying the decision was made to protect the safety of passengers and crew.

In a statement to the Daily Post newspaper, a Virgin Australia spokesperson said the airline is closely monitoring the situation and will only resume services once it is safe to do so.

“For the safety of our guests and crew, Virgin Australia has cancelled flights to and from Vanuatu on Sunday and Monday following the eruption of Ambae Volcano,” the spokesperson said.

“We are continuing to monitor the situation closely and will resume operations between Brisbane and Port Vila as soon as it is safe to do so, including providing recovery options for guests whose flights have been cancelled.”

The confirmation comes after a Ni-Vanuatu passenger at Brisbane Airport contacted the Daily Post after being informed that flights were being delayed because of volcanic activity in the Vanuatu archipelago.

The passenger reported that Virgin Australia had cancelled its service while a Qantas flight remained scheduled to operate but was delayed.

Virgin Australia said the cancellations followed safety assessments after Ambae Volcano erupted on the afternoon of 18 July and continued emitting volcanic ash.

Virgin Australia said the cancellations included flight VA57 from Brisbane to Port Vila and VA58 from Port Vila to Brisbane on Sunday, 19 July, followed by flights VA53 from Brisbane to Port Vila and VA54 from Port Vila to Brisbane on Monday, 20 July. The airline also cancelled recovery flights VA9547 from Brisbane to Port Vila and VA9548 from Port Vila to Brisbane, which had been scheduled to operate on Monday.

If conditions improve, Virgin Australia said it plans to operate additional recovery flights on Tuesday and Wednesday to assist passengers affected by the cancellations.

Daily Post also understands there are no further direct Qantas flights until Thursday.

Ambae communities warned as Alert Level 3 remains in place

Meanwhile, the Vanuatu Geological Hazards Department (VGHD) says Ambae Volcano continues to experience minor eruptive activity and remains at Alert Level 3, which has been in effect since 23 February 2026.

Its latest update, issued at 12:10pm on Monday, 20 July, said satellite imagery and webcam observations show continuous emissions of steam, volcanic gas and ash drifting towards the south-southeast under prevailing winds.

The department also detected moderate to high levels of sulphur dioxide gas emissions and persistent thermal anomalies, indicating magma remains close to the surface.

Authorities warned that the three-kilometre exclusion zone around the volcanic vent remains dangerous due to the risk of volcanic rocks, ash, gas and possible lava flows.

Heavy ashfall may affect surrounding communities and neighbouring islands depending on wind direction, while heavy rain could trigger dangerous volcanic mudflows in river channels.

Residents have also been advised to protect water sources from contamination by volcanic gases.

The Australian High Commission in Port Vila has also advised Australian travellers to contact their airline, tour operator or accommodation provider for the latest travel information. It confirmed that volcanic ash from the Ambae eruption is causing flight disruptions and cancellations in Vanuatu.

Volcanic ash impacting Air Vanuatu operations

Air Vanuatu advised yesterday (20 July 2026) that ongoing volcanic ashfall activity has caused flight cancellations and delays across all international and domestic air carriers.

The specific Air Vanuatu status updates are:

Tanna flights

• Status:Cancelled on Monday, 20 July. 
• Rescheduled:May operate this morning (21 July), pending clear volcanic ash conditions. 

Santo–Norsup–Port Vila flights

• Status:Will resume this morning, Tuesday, 21 July. 

Port Vila–Lamen Bay–Port Vila flights

• Status:Cancelled. 

Next scheduled advisory

Air Vanuatu advised that a full status update on Norsup, Lamen Bay and volcanic ash conditions will be issued following the next volcano bulletin update from the VGHD.