On 17 December 2024, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila, and surrounding areas. A second 6.1-magnitude quake occurred early on 18 December, sending the South Pacific nation reeling and triggering tsunami warnings. Stay up to date on the Vanuatu earthquakes with our live updates.
Full aIr travel update
Thursday, 19 December 2024
Airlines that operate in Vanuatu have cancelled until at least Sunday as Port Vila’s main airport remains closed due to the earthquakes that struck the Pacific island nation this week.
Here’s a rundown of the status of flights in the country as of Thursday morning:
- Jetstar – All JQ flights between Sydney and Port Vila have been cancelled until Sunday 22 December. “Our teams are continuing to closely monitor the situation, and we will provide further updates on our operations to and from Vanuatu as soon as possible via our Travel Alerts page, as well as SMS and emails to customers whose flights are impacted,” the airline states. “We’re also offering flexibility for those who no longer wish to travel to Vanuatu. If you’ve booked a flight to/from Port Vila for travel between 18 December 2024 and 5 January 2025, please contact us via live chat to discuss your options including a voucher refund or free date change.”
- Qantas – All QF flights have been cancelled until Saturday 21 December. “We continue to work closely with the relevant authorities to be ready to resume operations and help bring customers home as soon as possible.We’re closely monitoring the situation in Vanuatu,” it says. “If your flight has been impacted, we’ll contact you directly using the details in your booking and provide you with options including a refund.”
- Virgin Australia – VA has suspended operations to Port Vila and is working with authorities “to be ready to support guests to travel home as soon as possible”.
- Fiji Airways – All FJ flights to and from Port Vila Airport have been cancelled until at least Friday, 20 December 2024. The carrier says the country’s main airport has sustained “significant damage to its terminal and runway, and further assessments by the authorities will determine the next steps”.
- Solomon Airlines – Passengers on several flights have been rebooked for services commencing Friday, but this will depend on the status of Port Vila’s airport. According to the carrier, Thursday’s Brisbane to Santo to Port Vila flight (IE726) and Port Vila to Brisbane (IE718) will operate as a Brisbane to Santo to Brisbane service only and will not include Port Vila.
Business leader pleads
Thursday, 19 December 2024
Vanuatu Business Resilience Council chairperson Glen Craig hopes commercial flights can resume as soon as possible.
“Let us not forget we’re in the peak tourism season and we’re telling everyone, honestly don’t cancel your holiday [and] hotels,” he stated.
According to the ABC, Craig said resorts are all okay and the country doesn’t need “an economic disaster after having this”.
“And whilst we don’t want to seem insensitive about it, we need to, we want to, make sure that in a few days, we’ve still got those people that wanted to come on holiday and experience Vanuatu,” he added.
Infrastructure hit badly
Wednesday 18 December 2024
Widespread damage to infrastructure, buildings and roads has been reported due to two Vanuatu earthquakes, including a multi-storey structure housing the embassies of the US, UK France and New Zealand, which suffered partial collapses. Vehicles were crushed under debris, and significant structural damage was reported throughout the city. Landslides have blocked roads and buried infrastructure, complicating rescue efforts. Essential services, such as telecommunications and phone services are down.
Residents were urged to stay away from coastlines for at least 24 hours until tsunami and earthquake monitoring systems were operational again.
The Red Cross has reported more than 200 people have been injured, and at least 14 have died due to the first earthquake. Vanuatu’s main hospital in Port Vila, along with diplomatic offices, were also damaged.
The Sydney Morning Herald said Acting Prime Minister Charlot Salwai had declared a state of emergency due to the Vanuatu earthquakes and imposed a seven-day curfew in the worst affected areas.
Australia will send emergency and consular assistance, including urban search and rescue and medical teams, to Port Vila today.
Vanuatu flights grounded
Wednesday 18 December 2024
The Red Cross said access to Port Vila’s Bauerfield International Airport and seaport was severely limited due to road damage, which could affect aid delivery efforts.
The runway is also severely damaged, grounding all flights in and out of Vanuatu, and a massive landslide has occurred at the international shipping terminal.
Several Australian and South Pacific airlines cancelled or paused scheduled flights for yesterday and today while awaiting news of the airport’s status.
These include Virgin Australia, Qantas, Jetstar and Fiji Airways, which have had to cancel or divert flights to and from Port Vila.
Latest travel advice
Wednesday 18 December 2024
The Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) updated its advice on the Smartraveller website in the wake of the Vanuatu earthquakes, encouraging Australian travellers to contact their airlines for further information.
Australians in Vanuatu can also register using the DFAT crisis registration portal.
Meanwhile, Vanuatu Tourism Office CEO Adela Issachar Aru said, “Pretty much the town area [of Port Vila] is out of bounds”, as VTO works with hotels to restore calm.
“There was panic yesterday during and after the incident,” she told ABC‘s News Channel.
“There is still panic as of this morning because families say they can still feel a bit aftershock.”
Karryon has contacted the Vanuatu Tourism Office for further commentary.
While yesterday’s earthquake is considered one of the strongest in recent years, Vanuatu is no stranger to seismic activity due to its position where the Indo-Australia tectonic plate moves beneath the Pacific Plate.
The South Pacific nation was impacted by two cyclones and earthquakes last March.