Pacific / Vanuatu

Vanuatu airport runway repair begins

16:30 pm on 11 March 2016

Work has begun in Vanuatu to resurface the runway of the international airport in Port Vila.

Earlier this year, some airlines, including Air New Zealand and Qantas, stopped flying to Vanuatu, citing safety concern over the runway's condition.

With funding from the World Bank, the company Fulton Hogan of New Zealand has started the emergency work.

Vanuatu media report that equipment shipped to Port Vila has cleared customs.

The job is expected to be completed in just under two months.

Port Vila international airport Photo: RNZ