Port Vila International Airport (), widely known as Bauerfield International Airport (), is an airport located in Port Vila, Vanuatu. The airport is relatively small in size, but its runway has the capability and length to accept jets up to the Airbus A330. It served as the international hub for Vanuatu's flag carrier airline, Air Vanuatu, until its bankruptcy in 2024.

History

<div style="float:right;">thumb|Map of Efate Island showing military installations 27 July 1943</div>

thumb|International terminal

thumb|Apron view

During World War II

With Japanese forces establishing bases on Guadalcanal which threatened the sea route between the U.S. and Australia, Admiral King distributed the joint basic plan for the occupation and defense of Efate (the island containing Port Vila) on 20 March 1942. Under its terms the US Army was to defend Efate and support the defense of ships and positions. The US Navy's task was: (1) to construct, administer and operate a naval advance base, seaplane base, and harbor facilities; (2) to support Army forces in the defense of the island; (3) to construct an airfield and at least two outlying dispersal fields; (4) to provide facilities for the operation of seaplane-bombers.

On 25 March 1942, the Army sent about 500 men to Efate from Nouméa, and the 4th Defense Battalion, 45th Marines, arrived on 8 April. Elements of the Seabees 1st Naval Construction Battalion arrived on Efate on 4 May 1942. The Marines had already cleared a coral by runway near Port Vila on part of a plantation owned by Henri Russet. The Seabees expanded this to by . It was damaged in the 2024 Port Vila earthquake on 17 December, causing its closure to non-humanitarian flights for 72 hours. Commercial operations resumed on 22 December following repairs.

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

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Cargo

None

Former Cargo Route terminated in 2021 after company went bankrupt

Accidents and incidents

  • On 28 July 2018, an ATR-72 operating Air Vanuatu Flight 241 suffered a runway excursion whilst landing with an engine shut down following an in-flight fire. The aircraft collided with two Britten-Norman Islanders, writing one off and severely damaging the other.

See also

  • Port Havannah
  • Quoin Hill Airfield

References

  • Airports Vanuatu Limited