Airports in Vanuatu: Where Can You Fly to in Vanuatu?

Bauerfield International Airport (VLI) is the international airport where most visitors arrive in Vanuatu. It is located in Port Vila on the island of Efate, approximately a 10-15-minute drive from the city centre, depending on traffic.

Check out more distances from the airport in How Long Does it Take to Travel Around Vanuatu?

International Flights at Bauerfield Airport

Bauerfield Airport has regular international flight connections with Brisbane, Sydney (Australia), Auckland (New Zealand), Nadi (Fiji) and Nouméa (New Caledonia), with most flights operating on specific days of the week.

Check out the airlines that run direct flights to Bauerfield Airport: Which Airlines Fly Directly to Vanuatu?

Domestic Flights at Bauerfield Airport

Bauerfield Airport serves as the main hub for travel within Vanuatu. If you need to travel to the outer islands such as Tanna, Santo, Malekula or the Banks Islands, you will need to depart from Bauerfield Airport.

There are domestic airlines servicing these islands, which you can learn more about in our complete guide to Domestic Flights in Vanuatu: Your Guide to Interisland Flights.

Facilities at Bauerfield Airport

Bauerfield Airport is a small but functional airport that's easy to navigate. The facilities at Bauerfield Airport include:

• Cafés
• Free WiFi
• Duty-free shopping
• Souvenir shopping
• Car park
• Car rental kiosks
• Phone network kiosks
• Airport transfers/shuttles (when booked)
• Taxis and bus stop
• Currency exchange kiosks
• Port Vila Harry Bauer Lounge (departures)
• Chemist/pharmacy
• Toilets
• Wheelchair access.

To learn about the arrival process into Bauerfield International Airport, check out our complete guide, Arriving in Vanuatu: Airport Customs, Biosecurity & Arrival Process LINK#TT003.

Fun Facts About Bauerfield International Airport

Bauerfield International Airport was originally built during World War Two by United States forces (US Army, US Navy and Marines) as a military airfield and was later named Bauer Field after Lieutenant Colonel Harold W. Bauer. Construction began in 1942 and the base was an important Allied airfield in the Pacific theatre.

Santo Pekoa International Airport (SON) is the main international airport on Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu's largest island. It is located approximately 3 km (1.9 mi) from Luganville, the island's main town, making it easily accessible for visitors.

International Flights at Santo Pekoa Airport

Santo Pekoa Airport primarily serves as a domestic hub, though it can accommodate international flights, particularly from Bisbrane (Australia).

Most international visitors to Santo typically connect through Bauerfield International Airport in Port Vila before taking a domestic flight to Santo.

Check out the airlines that run flights to Santo: Which Airlines Fly Directly to Vanuatu?

Domestic Flights at Santo Pekoa Airport

Santo Pekoa Airport serves as an important domestic hub for northern Vanuatu. Regular flights connect Santo with Port Vila, and it also serves as a gateway to other northern islands, specifically the Banks Islands.

Again, you can check out the domestic flights that service these islands in our complete guide to Domestic Flights in Vanuatu: Your Guide to Interisland Flights.

Facilities at Santo Pekoa Airport

Santo Pekoa Airport is a smaller regional airport with essential facilities. The facilities at Santo Pekoa Airport include:

• Basic terminal building
• Airport Café (opens 7 am)
• Sanma Craft Designs and Lyba's Souvenir Shop (opens 7/8 am to 5 pm)
• 2 ATMs
• Currency exchange kiosk (opens from 7:30 am)
• Phone network kiosks
• Car park
• Car rentals (when booked)
• Taxis
• Toilets
• Mini exhibition from the South Pacific WWII Museum

To learn about the arrival process when coming from Brisbane, the same rules apply as those listed in Arriving in Vanuatu: Airport Customs, Biosecurity & Arrival Process LINK#TT003.

Fun Facts About Santo Pekoa International Airport

Santo Pekoa International Airport, like many airports in Vanuatu, has historical significance from World War Two. Espiritu Santo served as a major Allied base during the Pacific campaign, with multiple airfields constructed by US forces. The island was home to one of the largest military installations in the Pacific theatre.

The area around Santo still contains numerous wartime remnants and sites. For a deeper dive into these wartime remnants, check out our Best Historical Sites in Vanuatu guide.

Whitegrass Airport (TAH) is a public airport located in Whitegrass, on the island of Tanna. It is located approximately a 15-minute drive from Lenakel, the main town of Tanna and 1-2 hours drive from the Mt Yasur area.

The airport is assigned TAH by the IATA, and whilst it's technically an international airport with the capability to open up to international flights, it currently only takes domestic flights from Port Vila.

For a South Pacific island runway, Whitegrass Airport is well-equipped for its current operations. The airport features one paved runway designated 11/29, which measures approximately 1,219 m × 30 m (4,000 ft × 98 ft), along with essential safety equipment and runway lighting for operations.

The airport is operated and maintained by Airports Vanuatu Limited (AVL). More information about domestic flights and schedules is available through our Domestic Flights Guide.

Facilities at Whitegrass Airport

Whitegrass Airport maintains basic but essential facilities for travellers. The airport features a modest terminal building providing shelter, basic passenger services and essential amenities for domestic flight operations.

Given Tanna's popularity as a tourist destination, particularly for those visiting the famous Mt Yasur volcano, airport transfers are typically arranged through accommodation providers or tour operators prior to arrival. The airport serves as a vital connection point for residents and visitors to this spectacular volcanic island.

Learn more about getting to Whitegrass Airport in our Tanna Transport Guide.

Norsup Airport (NUS) is a small public airport located on the western coast of Malekula.

Regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu (CAAV), it's a vital connection point for this remote island and provides access to one of Vanuatu's largest islands.

Norsup Airport is currently in the middle of some upgrades. When we last visited, construction was underway for a brand new airstrip and terminal building.

For now, planes are still landing on a paved road right next to the construction site! It's quite the sight to see, and operations are running out of a small prefab office in the meantime.

Facilities at Norsup Airport

Don't expect too much in terms of facilities just yet. You'll find a small terminal building for check-in (complete with those all-important weighing scales), and there's a temporary portable toilet situated away from the main building.

It's pretty basic, but it gets the job done whilst the new facilities are being built.

The airports on the outer islands of Vanuatu are as basic as they come, with no facilities other than bathrooms and a small building for check-in. There are no ATMs, no cafés, nothing, so come prepared.

On the plus side, you often have close views of the planes landing right next to you on the runways, which is pretty exciting.

Additional Domestic Airports in Vanuatu

While there are more airfields in Vanuatu than listed below, these are the airports you can travel to through the domestic airlines and charter flights. Other airfields are used to transport supplies or for private transfers.

Note that transfers usually need to be arranged with accommodation providers prior to arrival. Learn more in Vanuatu Airports: Your Airport Transfer Options.