Stronger network services needed as Motalava Airport upgrade plans progress

August 3, 2026 10:40 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Doddy Morris.

While plans are progressing to improve Motalava Airport’s capacity, an Air Vanuatu agent on the island says better digital connectivity is also needed to support aviation services, passenger bookings and emergency communication.

Air Vanuatu agent Armstrong Towbah has called for stronger network services across TORBA Province, saying reliable communication is essential for remote airports and communities.

“All our ports in TORBA need a good network connection. It is very important for us to have reliable communication. We need it for bookings and emergencies,” Mr. Towbah said.

He said unstable mobile networks continue to create difficulties when assisting passengers, particularly those trying to arrange travel.

“We are serving customers, but when the network is down it is very difficult to explain things to customers when they want to travel,” he said.

Motalava Airport is among the remote airports in Vanuatu where access to reliable mobile network services remains a challenge. Both Digicel and Vodafone coverage have been reported as unstable on the island, affecting communication between airport agents, passengers and service providers.

The connectivity challenges have increased interest in alternative internet solutions, with many remote communities and businesses looking towards satellite services to improve access to reliable communication.

Motalava Airport remains one of the important transport links among the remote northern islands of TORBA Province. Earlier this year, plans were reported for the airport to be upgraded to accommodate larger aircraft, including the ATR 72-600.

The proposed upgrade is expected to strengthen air access in TORBA Province, but local service providers say digital infrastructure must also improve alongside physical aviation developments.

For remote islands where air travel plays a vital role in connecting communities, reliable communication networks are becoming increasingly important for tourism, travel arrangements, business operations and emergency response.