Vanuatu's Santo airport bars large aircraft as flights cancelled

Flights to and from Vanuatu's Espiritu Santo island are facing disruption after aircraft carrying 30 or more passengers were barred from Santo International Airport. The restriction has been in place since 5 November 2026, and Australia's Smartraveller service has urged travellers heading to the island to reconfirm their flights.

Key facts

• Restrictions at Santo International Airport, Espiritu Santo, in force since 5 November 2026
• Aircraft carrying 30 or more passengers cannot arrive at or depart from the airport
• Air Vanuatu has halted all flights to and from Santo International Airport
• Solomon Airlines cancelled its Brisbane–Santo flights on 8 November 2026
• A new fire truck is expected in December and will be permanently stationed at the airport

What is changing at the airport?

Since 5 November 2026, only flights with fewer than 30 passengers have been operating in or out of Santo International Airport, the international gateway to Espiritu Santo. Local aviation authorities imposed the restriction until the airport's rescue and firefighting services are fully operational again.

Why has this happened?

Airports Vanuatu Limited, which owns Santo International Airport, said the airport's Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle became unserviceable after failing to start during a routine operational test because of a mechanical fault. Without it, the airport cannot provide the firefighting coverage required for aircraft carrying 30 or more passengers.

Under applicable aviation safety requirements, larger aircraft are therefore temporarily restricted from using the airport until the firefighting capability is restored and the necessary regulatory clearance obtained. Airports Vanuatu Limited said the original fire truck was donated by the French embassy in 1990 and has reached an advanced age, which has made sourcing replacement parts difficult.

Which flights are affected?

Air Vanuatu confirmed on social media that it had stopped all flights to and from Santo International Airport. Solomon Airlines cancelled flights IE726 (Brisbane–Santo) and IE727 (Santo–Brisbane) on Sunday 8 November 2026, announcing the cancellations on its website on 4 November.

What should travellers do?

Smartraveller warned that "airport operations may be disrupted on the island of Espiritu Santo". It advises travellers to reconfirm their flights with their travel agent or airline, and to contact their travel insurer and airline to discuss alternative arrangements if their travel is affected.

What happens next?

An urgent corrective plan has been started to restore the airport's firefighting capability. Technical and maintenance teams are working in Port Vila to repair the vehicle, which must pass CAAV inspections before being sent to Santo. Airports Vanuatu Limited said it was pursuing every available option to speed up the return of services, and expects a new fire truck to arrive in December, to be permanently stationed at Santo International Airport. No date has been given for when the larger aircraft restriction will be lifted.