Airports Vanuatu Ltd (AVL) welcomed on 24 August the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of Vanuatu and the Government of Australia, which will pave the way for investment in airport infrastructure consistent with the outcomes of the endorsed Airports Master Plan.
AVL is currently reviewing and updating the Master Plans for Port Vila Airport, Santo Airport and Tanna Airport. The Master Plans will set the development trajectory for the three airports for the next 20 years, based on sound analysis of the aviation environment and rigorous consultation with our stakeholders, including Government, airlines and airport users. The Master Plan process is set to conclude in the next two months. Thereafter AVL and the GoV will work together, to endorse the Master Plans. The Participants for Vanuatu comprise AVL and its two shareholding ministries, being the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities (MIPU) and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM).
The MOU clearly articulates the commitment of the two national governments and their agencies to work together and for the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) to fund the infrastructure investment required to realise the recommendations of the Master Plans. Design and scoping works are expected to result in an estimated VT 6.2 billion [AUD80 million] of projects. The infrastructure investments will respond to Vanuatu’s aviation priorities, boost connectivity, and benefit Vanuatu’s economy.
Jason Rakau, CEO of AVL said, “I sincerely thank everyone who has worked tirelessly over the past year to bring us to the point of signing this MOU. I am immensely proud to witness such a momentous event. The MOU will set in motion the process which will ultimately deliver the long-term future of our airports’ infrastructure. I cannot understate the significance of this investment by the Government of Australia. It will ensure our nation continues to enjoy safe and secure air access into the future, delivered through appropriate infrastructure which is developed in a timely fashion to continue to meet the growing needs of Vanuatu residents and international visitors alike. In an island nation, air access is critical to our economic resilience, market access, and regional connectivity. It enables trade and for our families to connect and for our visitors to experience all that Vanuatu has to offer.”
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