Vanuatu Resumes Commercial Flights After Earthquake, Signaling Hope for Recovery

Vanuatu has announced the resumption of commercial flights starting Sunday, following a devastating 7.3-magnitude earthquake that struck off the main island earlier this week. The earthquake has claimed at least 12 lives, with casualties including two Chinese nationals, one Thai, and one French citizen, as confirmed by the United Nations' humanitarian affairs office. The earthquake, which occurred on Tuesday, has caused significant destruction in the capital city of Port Vila, where concrete buildings were toppled and landslides were triggered. In addition to the loss of life, the quake has disrupted essential services, damaging water supplies and knocking out mobile networks, while halting operations at the main shipping port. In response to the disaster, the Vanuatu government has declared a seven-day state of emergency and imposed a night-time curfew. However, despite the challenges posed by the earthquake, local authorities are keen to restore normalcy and revive the tourism sector, which is vital to the nation’s economy. Glen Craig, chair of the Vanuatu Business Resilience Council, emphasized the importance of reassuring the world that Vanuatu is open for business despite the calamity. "The quake has obviously been terrible but the damage is localized," Craig stated, adding that life continues as usual for the vast majority of residents outside the capital. He underscored the need to protect local livelihoods and prevent an economic disaster following the earthquake. Airports Vanuatu confirmed that the infrastructure at Port Vila's Bauerfield International Airport has been thoroughly assessed and certified as safe for operations, while aviation fuel supplies have been declared uncontaminated. The resumption of flights is seen as a crucial step in the recovery efforts, enabling stranded passengers to make their way back home and encouraging tourists to return to the picturesque archipelago. Travelers both within Vanuatu and abroad have been urged to reach out to their airlines to confirm their travel plans, as the country aims to bounce back from this tragic event. With tourism being a cornerstone of Vanuatu’s economy, the reopening of the airport is a hopeful sign that the nation is resilient and ready to face the challenges ahead.