Air Vanuatu Delays/Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

NF11 from SYD to VLI on Friday 11 September 2015 is expected to be delayed departing from 1045 to 1200.

With only one B737 in its total current fleet of three aircraft, passengers must always hope that it is operable.

If not, does it ask for QF to provide a substitute aircraft?

 

[Melburnian1]

The Wednesday 23 December NF11 timetabled to depart in the evening at 2005 hours was delayed overnight, being off blocks on Christmas Eve at 0744 hours with arrival retimed to 1059 instead of last night's normal 2330 hours. This can be a downside of flying an airline that has a very small fleet.

The 24 December NF11 has been delayed (though not as badly) from departing SYD at its usual 1145 to 1555 this afternoon as the airline plays catch up.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Sunday 5 June 2016 with the extremely wet weather in and around SYD and elsewhere on Australia's lower east coast, NF11, the 1055 SYD to VLI was still taxiing at 1248. Aircraft is B738 YJ-AV8.

 

[Melburnian1]

Sunday 16 October sees NF11 (1155 hours SYD to VLI, B738 YJ-AV8) still only taxiing at 1315 hours, so it will be at least 40 minutes late into Vanuatu, although FR24 or Google have yet to give a suggested. NF is one of the smallest international airlines that operates to and from Australia.

 

[OzEire]

Sunday 16 October sees NF11 (1155 hours SYD to VLI, B738 YJ-AV8) still only taxiing at 1315 hours, so it will be at least 40 minutes late into Vanuatu, although FR24 or Google have yet to give a suggested. NF is one of the smallest international airlines that operates to and from Australia.

A single B738 for this route. No doubt getting a better load factor since QF and VA both pulled services to VLI (yes, I know QF is a NF codeshare, but QF still announced they weren't offering VLI anymore). Not sure if NZ still do the AKL-VLI service.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

A single B738 for this route. No doubt getting a better load factor since QF and VA both pulled services to VLI (yes, I know QF is a NF codeshare, but QF still announced they weren't offering VLI anymore). Not sure if NZ still do the AKL-VLI service.

QF pulling the code share would have had a negative impact on loads.
It removed a significant sales, marketing and reservation channel without removing any capacity on the route.

 

[Melburnian1]

A single B738 for this route. No doubt getting a better load factor since QF and VA both pulled services to VLI (yes, I know QF is a NF codeshare, but QF still announced they weren't offering VLI anymore). Not sure if NZ still do the AKL-VLI service.

OzEire, wasn't the official excuse for VA at least in removing flights the allegedly extremely poor state of the runway (and/or taxiways) at VLI?

Was this legitimate or was it more about VA being unable to attract passengers with a sufficient yield per seat on the route?

No doubt, however, that load factors for NF must have risen assuming that a reasonably similar number still need or want to fly between Oz and VLI. It retains its allure for a fairly small number of leisure travellers who (I know one) say that the 'ambience' is good. Many of us may prefer better known spots such as Thailand, Philippines, Bali, Fiji and so on for beaches or 'fun in the sun' but most places have their admirers.

There must also be islanders who need to come here, or visit there, for familial or medical reasons.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

OzEire, wasn't the official excuse for VA at least in removing flights the allegedly extremely poor state of the runway (and/or taxiways) at VLI?

Was this legitimate or was it more about both mainstream Australian airlines being unable to carry passengers with a sufficient yield per seat on the route?

No doubt, however, that load factors for NF must have risen assuming that a reasonably similar number still need or want to fly between Oz and VLI. It retains its allure for a fairly small number of leisure travellers who (I know one) say that the 'ambience' is good. Many of us may prefer better known spots such as Thailand, Philippines, Bali, Fiji and so on for beaches or 'fun in the sun' but most places have their admirers.

There must also be islanders who need to come here, or visit there, for familial or medical reasons.

The runway was the reason and it was legitimate. The runway was badly damaged after the cyclone. It wasn't in great condition previously.
VA always had difficulty landing at VLI in poor weather as their aircraft lacked equipment which was installed on the NF aircraft.
I once flew BNE-VLI, did 3 go arounds, diverted to NAN to refuel, flew back to VLI, did another 3 go arounds, only to return to BNE and try again the following day.

Vanuatu is beautiful although I prefer to get away from Port Vila. Espirito Santo is lovely.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Wednesday 14 June 2017, NF10, the 1510 hours VLI - SYD (B738 YJ-AV8) is predicted to arrive at 1936 hours, 81 minutes late. NF11, the returning flight to VLI should be able to depart at about 2020 - 2030 instead of its timetabled 1915.

 

[Melburnian1]

Saturday 10 March 2018 has seen NF11, the 2015 hours evening SYD - VLI take off at 2058 with B738 YJ-AV8. Arrival is suggested as 0017 on Sunday 11, 47 minutes behind schedule.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Tuesday 26 June 2018, NF10, the 1520 hours VLI down to SYD (B738 YJ-AV8) took off at 1608 hours so arrival is forecast for 1857 hours, 32 late.

 

[Melburnian1]

B738 YJ-AVB, the 1055 hours SYD - VLI on Sunday 23 June 2019 was not in the sky until 1355. Forecast arrival is 1754, 149 late.

 

[Silvia]

NF10 VLI-SYD (B738 YJ-AV8) was held up due to winds in Sydney and arrived at 10 47, 52 min behind on Friday 9th of August.

 

[Melburnian1]

With many aircraft holding on approach to MEL during Friday 23 August 2019's mid evening, NF11 from VLI to MEL is no exception. B738 YJ-AV8 is the aircraft: it took off on time or a little early, at 1628 against timetabled pushback at 1615. Arrival after the standard Mt Buller holding pattern looks to be about 2054 hours, 39 tardy.

 

[AIRwin]

Just read about this:

OVER 500 STRANDED

A mechanical problem with Air Vanuatu’s Boeing 737-800 yesterday resulted in flight disruptions and over 500 passengers affected.

dailypost.vu

 

[Melburnian1]

On Sunday 24 May 2020, during coronavirus, NF11, the 1055 hours late morning from SYD up to VLI was cancelled.

 

[Melburnian1]

NF11 was also cancelled on Tuesday 26 May 2020. It had been timetabled to push back at 1645 hours.

 

[Melburnian1]

Tuesday 2 June 2020 during coronavirus sees NF11, the timetabled 1645 hours SYD - VLI cancelled. Many NF flights are being cancelled of the typically one per day or fewer scheduled ex SYD. I don't know if this is due to lack of demand or whether this small airline is an aircraft short.

 

[Melburnian1]

NF11 (SYD up to VLI) has again been cancelled, this time on Wednesday 3 June 2020. Ditching has become a frequent occurrence. Usually to appear as 'cancelled' on an airport or other website, the cancellation must have occurred within seven days of the departure date.

 

[docjames]

Hopefully “ditching” isn’t common between SYD and VLI.....