Government Overhauls Air Vanuatu Board, Chairman Replaced

Vanuatu’s deputy prime minister and minister of finance and economic management has replaced the chairman of Air Vanuatu’s operating company, Air Vanuatu (Operations) Limited (AVOL).

Johnny Koanapo moved out the well-regarded Joseph Laloyer as chairman of the board, giving that position to Robin Deamer, a Vanuatu born captain and flight instructor. However, Koanapo says that Laloyer will stay on as Air Vanuatu's CEO.

Aside from Laloyer, four other people - Mark Stafford, Alain Lew, Yves Melep, and Bettina Mathieu, lost their board positions. They were replaced by Julie Takau, Paul Pio, and Ben Tofor.

Alexandre Perret and Roan Lester Sunghk have kept their Air Vanuatu board positions.

In a statement, the Vanuatu Government said the decision to appoint the new board members was a response to the "challenges faced by Air Vanuatu."

The government liquidated Air Vanuatu in May 2024 following what it termed “controversy and ongoing financial struggles.” Among other things, the government-owned airline was defaulting on lease payments, could not service its debts, and had developed a reputation for operational unreliability.

Liquidators later sold Air Vanuatu to a shelf company owned by Vanuatu’s Foreign Ministry. The airline has since shrunk to a domestic only operator, with its sole B737-800 repossessed by its lessor. Its flagship domestic aircraft, an ATR72-600, has been out-of-service since August 1, 2025. The network is now serviced solely by a pair of aging DHC-6-300s.

“The incoming Board of Directors were selected purely on merit as stipulated by the Commercial Government Business Enterprise Act, following a recruitment process that started earlier this year,” reads the government’s statement. “The board will work closely with Chairman Captain Deamer to steer the airline back towards recovery. The appointments also follow the removal of five former directors, marking a fresh start for the airline.

Speaking to VBTC News, Koanapo said the government was confident that the new board had the expertise needed to drive reforms and rebuild public trust in Air Vanuatu. He said it was important the new board operated without political interference and upheld high levels of corporate governance.

The new Air Vanuatu board “will be responsible for resurrecting the airline from the ashes,” the statement added. “The government is committed to implementing drastic changes to ensure the airline's success.”

Separately, the Vanuatu Government has also refreshed the board of Airports Vanuatu Limited (AVL), the government entity that owns and operates the airports at Port Vila (VLI), Santo (SON), and Tanna (TAH). The government appointed Jessie Benjamin as chairman and Jackie Trief and David Warfe as board directors. Romella Bue retained her board position.

The government says it has a “reformist agenda” for its state-owned entities, wanting to eradicate the habit of political interference and see them run along the lines of commercial enterprises.

Air Vanuatu’s ongoing issues, which continue under the Foreign Ministry's stewardship, have presented locals with problems, particularly around reliable and regular inter-island travel. However, the end of Air Vanuatu’s international operations have had the unintended effect of increasing international visitor numbers to the country, with Jetstar, Virgin Australia, and Qantas all either increasing or starting flights to Port Vila in the last 12 months.

Air Vanuatu’s problems have also proved something of a bonanza for local competitor Solomon Airlines, who have taken over some Air Vanuatu international routes and increased their presence in the country.