China Southern Airlines Tests Port Vila Flights

China Southern Airlines has operated the first of two trial flights to Port Vila (VLI) as part of the Chinese Government's push into the Southwest Pacific. The trial flights operate as a tag service to the existing thrice-weekly service between Guangzhou (CAN) and Port Moresby (POM).

A China Southern B737-8 registered as B-205K (msn 62880) flew approximately 30 passengers from Port Moresby to Port Vila on April 29, 2025, before operating the same sector in a reverse direction on April 30. The flights in and out of Port Vila operated as CZ5057

The airline, which is among the world's largest and ultimately owned by the Chinese Government, is repeating the flights on May 6 and 7.

China's Ambassador to Vanuatu, Li Minggang, along with Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat, attended the arrival ceremony at Port Vila's Bauerfield International Airport. Li said the flights opened a new chapter in China-Vanuatu cooperation.

"On behalf of the Chinese Embassy, I extend heartfelt gratitude to all government departments, airlines, enterprises, and individuals from both sides who worked tirelessly to make this a reality," he said.

The ambassador added that the initiative supports China's Belt and Road vision and aligns with his country's commitment to supporting the development of small Southwest Pacific nations.

China's push into the Southwest Pacific is backed by soft diplomacy and grants. China is also establishing longer-term linkages, primarily by providing soft loans over long periods for infrastructure development.

Lowy Institute analysis reveals that Vanuatu, along with other small Pacific nations such as Tonga and Samoa, spend among the biggest sums in the world to repay debts to China as a proportion of their GDP.

Regular flights to Guangzhou would offer some benefits to Vanuatu's exporters, with the island's high-quality beef and coffee in particular demand. Ambassador Li said initial projections estimated that each B737-8 flight would ferry in around 120 Chinese tourists, who, if they stayed the full week to the next flight, would collectively spend the local equivalent of USD84,000 each week, or USD4.37 million annually.

"We believe this route will become a road of friendship and development," said Li. "This flight sets the stage for deeper cooperation in education, healthcare, sports, and other fields."

Despite Vanuatu signing many air service agreements with other countries, Port Vila remains poorly connected. Nine airlines connect the airport to eight airports in other countries, with all but the trial China Southern Airlines service to Guangzhou linking to airports in the immediate region.

It is unclear whether future Port Vila flights would operate nonstop from China or fly via Port Moresby if Vanuatu becomes a permanent addition to China Southern's schedules.

Photo: VBTC News