Air Vanuatu issues RFP for second ATR, government eyes jets

By Andrew Curran.

Air Vanuatu has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to purchase a pre-owned ATR72-600 to supplement the ATR72 already in its fleet. The RFP was issued late last week but gives interested parties little time to register their interest, with a deadline of November 2, 2026.

The RFP documents, available here, state that the aircraft should be available for delivery between December 1, 2026, and  March 31, 2027, and be no more than 12 years old.

The RFP coincides with Air Vanuatu successfully ferrying in its fifth DHC-6-300 Twin Otter on October 26 and Deputy Prime Minister Johnny Koanapo suggesting that the state-owned airline could be in a position to resume jet operations around 2030.

“Before 2030 or after 2030, the government must own either a Boeing or an Airbus,” Koanapo said at an event marking the arrival of the Twin Otter. “We are very committed to that.”

Air Vanuatu pivots towards fleet growth

Air Vanuatu had its sole jet aircraft, a B737-800, repossessed in 2024, around the time the government liquidated the airline, which had repeatedly defaulted on its lease payments.

Air Vanuatu did manage to retain its ATR72 and a trio of DHC-6-300s. Last year, the government announced the purchase of two more pre-owned Twin Otters, the first of which arrived in January and the second on Monday.

Koanapo said the government was considering whether to acquire one or two more DHC-6-300s to further bolster the airline’s domestic network.

Plans for the second ATR72 are more advanced. The 17-page RFP says Air Vanuatu wants to purchase the aircraft to help serve the domestic trunk flights between Port Vila (VLI), Luganville (SON) and Tanna (TAH), as well as regional services the airline plans to operate from 2027. Air Vanuatu is seeking outright purchase of the aircraft, with full legal and beneficial title.

Air Vanuatu not keen to revisit ATR reliability issues

The details reveal that the airline is seeking an aircraft built in 2015 or later, with a manufacturer's serial number of 1300 or higher. The airframe must have no more than 20,000 flight hours and 18,000 flight cycles at delivery, with an average flight leg over the aircraft's life of 0.8 to 1.2 flight hours per cycle. It must have Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127M engines in both positions, have previously operated under EASA, CASA, CAA New Zealand or an equivalent regulatory authority, and have no major structural repairs, among other requirements.

“The aircraft and its records must be available for a physical pre-purchase inspection and a records review by the Purchaser's team or its appointed independent consultant, at a location that the Purchaser's team can safely reach, within fourteen days of shortlist notification,” the RFP adds. “The inspection will include a borescope inspection of both engines and an acceptance flight where the aircraft is in a flying condition.”

Air Vanuatu has experienced problems with its existing ATR72, which has regularly been out of service for extended periods, forcing the airline to rely on wet-leased aircraft.

Koanapo said the government and the airline, which recently appointed Philippe Busson as its new CEO, had learned from “the hard lessons of the past”.

“We are seeing the revival of a company that we are building,” he said, adding that the longer-term focus was on building a fleet capable of supporting regional and international operations.

“The government is focused on tourism, industry growth, and connectivity for our people,” Koanapo added.

Photo: Air Vanuatu
Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com