Domestic Flights to Resume This Month: CAAV

July 18, 2024 10:27 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

Compiled by Doddy Morris.

The Acting Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu (CAAV), Mr. Wilfred Makaba, confirmed to the Vanuatu Daily Post that Air Vanuatu Domestic flights are set to resume this month.

In addition to this confirmation, the Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities (MIPU), through CAAV, announced in a press statement that Air Vanuatu will soon resume its domestic flights.

“The Office of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu is aware of the current aviation crisis affecting the people of Vanuatu and, through ongoing cooperation in recent weeks with E&Y/Air Vanuatu and the technical team of CAAV, has been collecting and assessing documentation on the status of Air Vanuatu aircraft and flight crew records to ensure they comply with CAA Safety Standards and relevant CAA rules before CAAV approves Air Vanuatu Domestic operations,” CAAV conveyed.

This announcement comes after the Air Taxi incident and the suspension of Air Taxi Limited’s Part 135 Certificate, following the investigation of the Britten Norman Islander (BN2) aircraft registration AT2 crash, which occurred on July 15, 2024, carrying five people from Aneityum to Port Vila and crashing at Monmartre Plantation.

CAAV stated it prioritises public safety and is taking all necessary measures to ensure that the safety of airports and flight operations, including passenger safety, is always maintained to standard.

“Under the Vanuatu Civil Aviation Act No. 16 of 1999, Part 3, Section 18, sub-section (4), which grants power to the Director, Acting Director of CAAV, Wilfred Makaba, has suspended Air Taxi Limited’s Part 135 Certificate pending the investigation of the plane crash involving one of Air Taxi Limited’s planes,” the statement conveyed.

“The suspension of Air Taxi’s operations is to allow an independent investigation to take place, following the requirements under International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standard Annex 13 and in accordance with the rules of Vanuatu Civil Aviation.”

However, the Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities extends respect and condolences to the families who lost their loved one in the crash, praying that God comforts their hearts during this sad time.