Baggage

International checked luggage allowance

Effective from 17 July 2017, our baggage allowance on Air Vanuatu international flights to and from Australia and New Zealand will be as follows. This increase applies to all  reservations made and ticketed after 17 July 2017; bookings created prior to 17 July 2017 will also have the new allowance applied at Airport check-in

Baggage for children travelling in business or economy class is entitled to the same baggage allowance as above. Infants are entitled to 10kg for checked-in luggage. If travelling with friends or relatives you can all pool your baggage allowance together and will all need to check-in together at the airport.

Please note that Air Vanuatu does not offer special allowances for carriage of sporting equipment, including but not limited to, golf clubs, surfboards, fishing equipment, and bicycles. For excess baggage rates, please refer to the next section. 

International Excess Baggage Rates

Excess baggage charges will apply when a traveller's checked-in baggage exceeds the free allowance set by Air Vanuatu. Remember if you are travelling with friends or as a group you can pool your baggage allowance, however you must check-in at the same time.

If your checked-in baggage exceeds you baggage allowance you will be charged for excess baggage at the following rates on Air Vanuatu Operated services only:

Domestic Checked Baggage Allowance

Domestic Carry On Allowance & Excess Baggage Rates

• Air Vanuatu domestic carry on luggage is strictly 5KG per passenger.
• To view a list of our domestic excess baggage rates, please click here.

Our Baggage Policy

In the course of normal baggage handling during travel, your luggage may show evidence of wear and tear. Like most airlines, we won't accept liability for normal damage to checked luggage, including:

• broken wheels or feet
• lost pull straps
• minor cuts and scratches
• damage resulting from over-packing
• damage to retractable luggage handles
• fragile or perishable items damaged during transport
• items unsuitably packed or unsuitable for transportation
• damage resulting from inspections by the authorities.

Important Carry On Luggage Information for Economy Class Passengers

Ensure that your baggage is clearly labelled with your name both inside and outside your baggage. Please use the carry on luggage test units at check-in to ensure you comply with this requirement.

Please ensure that you are familiar with Airport security check point rules and restrictions on carrying: Liquids, Aerosols and Gels or LAGS. Refer to the following links for more information:

• Australian Department of Transport
• New Zealand Aviation Security Service

Vanuatu follows the Australian rules, please apply these.

Dangerous Goods

For your own safety and security and those of others on a flight, international regulatory authorities have placed certain restrictions or prohibitions on the carriage of dangerous goods or hazardous material (HAZMAT). Dangerous goods are item which are not suitable for carriage on an aircraft and may endanger the occupants onboard.

Firearms and Ammunition

Firearms and Ammunition declared at check-in, may, with the approval of Air Vanuatu, be accepted under specific conditions. 

Once accepted for travel, Firearms and ammunition may be carried together in the customer's checked baggage, provided they are separated within that case or in a separate case.

Dangerous Goods must not be carried in (or as) passenger or crew-checked baggage or carry-on baggage, except as indicated in the table below

Security Information

All knives, sharp objects or cutting implements of any kind and any length, whether of metal or other material, knitting needles, and sporting goods, must be packed in your checked luggage. They cannot be carried in your cabin baggage or on your person. If they are, the articles will be removed and not returned.

Passengers carrying hypodermic needles will need to declare them at the screening point. Where possible documentation should be produced. Any medication should have a professionally printed label identifying the medication or a manufacturer's name or pharmaceutical label affixed. It is also advisable to have a doctors letter stating the necessity of using such medication.

Dangerous Goods Information:

Whether stowed in checked baggage, in your cabin baggage, or on yourself, the following items are prohibited to be carried on any Air Vanuatu flight:

• briefcases and attaché cases with installed alarm devices
• gases whether flammable or non-flammable (including camping gas)
• corrosives such as mercury wet cell batteries, acids, alkalis
• explosives, fireworks and flares
• flammable solids - such as matches and articles which are easily ignited;
  substances liable to spontaneous combustion;
  substances which on contact with water emit flammable gases, lighter fuel.
• oxidising substances such as bleaching powder and peroxides
• poisonous and infectious substances
• radioactive materials
• magnetised materials
• electric stunning devices
• Perfumes, hair sprays and any alcohol-containing medicines necessary during the journey which is no more 100ml per item may be carried on board the flight.

Specific requirements exist for the carriage of camping stoves/fuel containers, firearms and any devices with petrol engines. Carriage of these items will require passengers to prepare the items or arrange documentation in advance of the travel date. It should be noted that most devices with petrol engines cannot be carried as checked or cabin baggage and must be consigned as cargo. If you are unsure whether you can take something on the aircraft, please check with Air Vanuatu.

If you are unsure or require more information about our baggage allowance and our baggage policy, email us at baggageservices@airvanuatu.vu.