Domestic air services
National airlineAir Vanuatu
Main routesATR-72
Departure taxVT200
Outer islandsBook early

Flying between islands

Domestic air services

The national airline, Air Vanuatu, operates domestic flights throughout the islands.

Main routes

  • Comfortable ATR-72 aircraft.They connect Port Vila with Santo and Tanna.

Smaller aircraft

  • Beyond Santo and Tanna.Flights are operated by smaller aircraft with no assigned seating. Airports beyond the three main islands have grass runways and no facilities.

Schedules & luggage

  • Plan for change.Schedules can change, sometimes because of Vanuatu weather. Allow plenty of time when connecting to or from international flights, and note that domestic luggage allowances may differ from international ones.
Air Vanuatu aircraft

Planning your flights

Before you book
01

Book as far ahead as you can

Schedules to the outer islands are limited, so it’s strongly recommended that you book as far in advance as possible.

02

Flying north

From Port Vila to the northern islands, including the Banks Islands, you’ll stop in Santo. This may be overnight, so check when you book.

03

Smaller islands

When flying to smaller islands, your flight will typically make multiple stops.

Departure tax

Provincial departure tax

For domestic flights, a provincial departure tax is not included in tickets. It must be paid before departure, after check-in, at the airports listed here.

VT200provincial departure tax, not included in tickets
  • Port Vila, Efate (VLI)
  • Luganville, Espiritu Santo (SON)
  • Whitegrass, Tanna (TAH)
  • Siwo, Emae (EAE)
  • Tongoa (TGH)
  • Lamen Bay, Epi (LNB)
  • Valesdir, Epi (VLS)

To book flights, or for more information, visit Air Vanuatu’s website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Flights between Port Vila, Santo and Tanna are the backbone of island hopping and the regular way to connect those islands. They are still subject to weather and operational changes, so reliable means usual, not guaranteed to the minute. Book early in busy periods. Treat them as essential infrastructure with Pacific flexibility.
Smaller aircraft, grass runways on many outer islands, payload and baggage limits, and schedules that can change with weather are normal. Some northern routes stop in Santo and may need an overnight. Confirm baggage rules when you book; they can differ from your international allowance. Build slack into any day that uses a small plane.
Do not plan a tight same-day connection if you can avoid it, especially arriving from an outer island. Allow extra time, ideally a buffer night in Port Vila, before an international departure. Weather and payload can delay small aircraft even when the jet is on time. If you must connect in one day, take the earliest domestic flight and travel light.