Located in a remote corner of the South Pacific is the tropical paradise of Aneityum, in the most southern group of islands in Vanuatu, in the Taféa province. Anatom Airport (AUY), also known as Mystery Island Airport, serves the area located on Inyeug Island, a popular cruise ship stopover point. The airport resides at just seven feet (two meters) above sea level, with a grass runway of 2,000 feet (610 meters) in length. If you’re lucky enough to travel here, you can quite literally walk out of the terminal and onto the beach.
A single weekly service connecting Aneityum to neighboring Tanna
Anatom Airport (AUY) is served by the nation’s flag carrier, Air Vanuatu, once a week, with a single de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter service from White Grass Airport (TAH), also known as Tanna Airport, 57 nautical miles northwest. Serving Aneityum is a vital link for the region, which has an approximate population of less than 1,000 who speak a local dialect of Anejom̃.
On a recent cruise to Vanuatu, I was fortunate enough to visit Inyeug Island, also known as Mystery Island, where most of those onboard decided to travel to the island to explore the fantastic snorkeling and beaches. During our time on the island, the airport, which is not fenced off or secured from the public, was open for those to explore, and within the pictures I have included, you will see that the runway and its terminal are very basic but unique.
A visit from the late Queen Elizabeth II
In 1974, the late
Queen Elizabeth
II was onboard the Royal Yacht Brittania partaking in a Pacific tour. En route from Port Vila to Australia, an unplanned decision to stop for a swim and lunch led to the Queen and Prince Philip stepping foot on Inyeug Island. The unscheduled stop led to the island acquiring the secondary name of Mystery Island, coined to attract more interest to the area following the royal visit, and it was reported by the Vanuatu Daily Post that a member of the traveling party suggested the new island’s name.
At the foot of the Anatom Airport runway, there is a memorial plaque paying tribute to the royal visit. Following the Queen’s passing, many community locals visited and paid respects on Mystery Island. A breath was laid next to the monument, which was close to where the Queen had her royal dip in 1974. Former Vanuatu Head of State, the late Frederick Timakata, renamed the beach ‘Queen Elizabeth Beach’ in her honor.
Photo: Aaron Bailey | Simple Flying
Anatom Airport’s runway quite literally runs from one end of the 15.9-hectare island to the other. With a coral reef surrounding the airport, the island’s beauty will awaken those arriving by air or sea. Its grass airstrip welcomes the nation’s flag carrier,
Air Vanuatu
fleet of de Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter
, which can accommodate up to 19 passengers. The airline’s September schedule currently identifies that one flight a week from Whitegrass Airport in Tanna visits the island.
One flight a week to Aneituym
Every Saturday, the action happens at Anatom / Mystery Island Airport (excluding visits from cruise ships) when Air Vanuatu
sends its flight from Tanna to AUY. The flight actually originates in the nation’s capital of Port Vila, taking a one-hour journey from Bauerfield International Airport (VLI) to Whitegrass Airport (TAH) before continuing onto Aneityum and returning. The schedule is identified below:
- NF312, departs Port Vila at 07:00, arriving at Tanna at 08:00 (block time of one hour)
- NF264, departs Tanna at 08:30, arriving at Anatom at 09:00 (30 minutes)
On arrival, the aircraft spends just a mere ten minutes on the grass apron, facilitating a quick turn round with its next departure at 09:10:
- NF265, departs Anatom at 09:10, arriving back in Tanna at 09:40 (30 minutes)
- NF313, then departs Tanna at 10:10, returning to Port Vila at 11:10 (one hour)
It is likely simpler inside the airport’s ‘terminal’ than you think. It could only be presumed that the pilot facilitates the majority of disembarkation,
check-in
, baggage loading, and
boarding
at Anatom. A check-in desk, seating area, and baggage trolley remain in the terminal. Given the airport’s location, there is no parking, and most locals would use a water taxi from neighboring Aneityum, which can moor on the beach at the eastern end of the runway.
During the cruise ship season, Mystery Island is home to many locals selling souvenirs and other local goods, as well as massages, hair braiding, local cuisine, and tours to different parts of the region.
Whitegrass Airport, Tanna (TAH)
Tanna, the region’s largest population center in Taféa, is a popular tourist destination, and its airport has enhanced facilities compared to Anatom. Located five miles (eight kilometers) from the township of Lénakel, the airport lies 19 feet (six meters) above sea level, with one
asphalt runway
, designated 15/33, measuring 4,035 feet in length (1,230 meters) by 98 feet (30 meters) in width. The airport can support mid-sized turboprop aircraft only, and its sole current destinations include Anatom and Port Vila.
Air Vanuatu, the nation’s flag carrier, has recently hit the headlines following its liquidation
following years of debt
. While its international operations remain suspended, the Government of Vanuatu, in collaboration with liquidator EY (Ernest Young), has been able to re-commence domestic operations with a fleet of three turboprop aircraft, including:
- One x Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander
- Two x de Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter
Neighboring international carriers have been quick to swoop in and absorb the international capacity to Vanuatu, with Solomon Airlines, Virgin Australia, Fiji Airways, and Qantas now serving the majority of international frequencies to Vanuatu. Australian low-cost carrier Jetstar will also commence services to Port Vila by the end of this year.