Qantas lands in Vanuatu, ending Virgin’s brief dominance

Qantas’ inaugural service to Vanuatu has touched down in Port Vila. Flight QF159 arrived from Brisbane at 3pm local time aboard the 737-800 VH-VZU. The Flying Kangaroo will operate three times per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays between Brisbane and Port Vila, with Jetstar to commence four weekly flights on 12 December. Between Qantas and Jetstar, the two services are expected to create more than 150,000 annual seats between Australia and Vanuatu. “We are thrilled to expand our network with the introduction of direct flights between Brisbane and Port Vila,” said Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace. “This new route will maintain connectivity between Australia and the South Pacific, opening new opportunities for leisure and business travel to the region.” Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaf said the new service “reinforces Brisbane Airport’s role as Australia’s Pacific hub”. “The service offers Queenslanders an easy escape to paradise on our doorstep,” he said. “It also provides the growing number of people from Vanuatu now living in Queensland, particularly those working in the agricultural sector, with direct access to home and family.”<br/>