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AIR VANUATU AND AIRCALIN SIGN CODESHARE AGREEMENT

Air Vanuatu and Aircalin have signed a codeshare agreement that will allow the two carriers to offer tickets on all scheduled commercial flights between Port Vila and Noumea.

The new agreement will strengthen regional cooperation between Vanuatu and New Caledonia with six flights per week between the two countries and offer a choice of carriers to customers.

Under the new arrangement, customers can purchase an Air Vanuatu ticket and travel on a flight operated by Aircalin or purchase an Aircalin ticket and travel on an Air Vanuatu. All flights between Port Vila and Noumea are double designated - Air Vanuatu uses its code NF on flights operated by Aircalin and Aircalin uses its code SB on flight operated by Air Vanuatu.  

Air Vanuatu’s chief executive officer Joseph Laloyer said the agreement will allow customers of both carriers prime connections to and from the outer islands of Vanuatu and in particular Tanna and Santo.

“The finalisation of this new regional arrangement between the two national carriers will offer greater opportunities to our customers. For Vanuatu, we have already seen demand from Noumea to not only Port Vila and Tanna, but Santo as well. We hope with this new agreement we will also see demand for outer island travel increase as well,” Mr. Laloyer said.

Aircalin flights will be operated late afternoon on Fridays and Sundays. Air Vanuatu flights will operate as from 01st January 2018 on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning.  

Either carrier depending on demand may increase this new flight schedule. Didier Tappero, Aircalin CEO said the new codeshare offered greater flexibility.

“ I am very happy with the signing of this agreement between the two airlines as it is a step closer to the strengthening of a regional cooperation between New Caledonia and Vanuatu,” he said.

“ It is going to offer more flexibility to our business and leisure customers as well as the tours operators who will have wider choices in planning packages to the travellers.”