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-minute drive from the city centre.

Check out more distances from the airport in How Long Does it Take to Travel Around Vanuatu? LINK#T049

International Flights at Bauerfield Airport

Bauerfield Airport has regular international flight connections with Brisbane, Sydney (Australia), Auckland (New Zealand), Nadi (Fiji), Honiara (Solomon Islands) 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? LINK#T027

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:

• Café/restaurant
• Free WiFi
• Duty-free
• Souvenir shopping
• Takeaway
• Car park
• Car rentals (only when booked)
• Taxis and bus stop
• Currency exchange
• Airline offices
• 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 LINK#T049, 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? LINK#T027

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
• Limited refreshments
• WiFi
• Car park
• Car rentals (when arranged)
• Ground transportation
• Toilets
• Basic passenger services

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 LINK#D070.

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

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

The airport features one paved runway measuring 1,219 x 30 m (4,000 x 98 ft) with basic safety and emergency services appropriate for regional operations.

Facilities at Norsup Airport

As a small regional airport serving a remote island community, Norsup Airport offers basic facilities, including a simple terminal building and essential ground support equipment for aircraft operations.

The airport provides fundamental passenger services, including check-in facilities and a small waiting area, though amenities are limited compared to larger airports.

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.

Shefa Province

• Aromai Airport, Emae (EAE) - Small community airstrip, daylight operations only, minimal facilities
• Lamen Bay Airport, Epi (LNB) - Basic community airstrip, limited ground facilities
• Tongoa Airport, Tongoa (TGH) - Small terminal shelter, daylight operations
• Valesdir Airport, Epi (VLS) - Basic rural airstrip, minimal facilities

Sanma Province

• Olpoi Airport, Lajmoli, Espiritu Santo (OLJ) - Grass runway, small local airstrip, basic facilities

Malampa Province

• Norsup Airport, Malekula (NUS) - (listed in section above)
• Lamap Airport, Malekula (LPM) - Community airstrip, minimal facilities
• Craig Cove Airport, Ambrym (CCV) - Basic terminal shelter, daylight operations
• South West Bay Airport, Malekula (SWJ) - Small community airstrip, limited facilities
• Paama Airport, Tavie, Paama (PBJ) - Local access airstrip, minimal infrastructure
• Ulei Airport, Malekula (ULB) - Basic rural airstrip

Tafea Province

• Mystery Island Airport, Aneityum (AUY) - Seasonal cruise and charter use, minimal facilities
• Aniwa Airport, Aniwa (AWD) - Small community airstrip
• Dillon’s Bay Airport, Erromango (DLY) - Basic facilities, daylight operations
• Ipota Airport, Erromango (IPA) - Minimal facilities
• Tavarere Airport, Futuna (FTA) - Small island airstrip, very limited facilities

Penama Province

• Longana Airport, Ambae (LOD) - Regional passenger services, basic terminal
• Lonorore Airport, Pentecost (LNE) - Regional services, simple terminal facilities
• Sara Airport, Pentecost (SSR) - Community airstrip, minimal infrastructure
• Maewo Naone Airport, Malolo, Maewo (MWF) - Local access airstrip
• Walaha Airport, Ambae (WLH) - Small community airstrip

Torba Province

• Sola Airport, Vanua Lava (SLH) - Provincial hub airstrip, basic terminal facilities
• Torres Airport, Loh and Toga Islands (TOH) - Remote outer island airstrip
• Gaua Airport, Gaua (ZGU) - Community airport, minimal facilities
• Ablow Airport, Mota Lava (MTV) - Local airstrip serving Mota Lava

Note that transfers usually need to be arranged with accommodation providers prior to arrival. Learn more in Vanuatu Airports: Your Airport Transfer Options LINK#T030.