Air Niugini, Air Vanuatu implement code share agreement

Air Niugini and Air Vanuatu have successfully implemented a code share agreement, which will see both carriers enjoying increased traffic between the two nations and beyond.

The first flight under this arrangement operated Tuesday. Air Vanuatu’s Chief Executive Officer, Joseph Laloyer welcomed the new codeshare services.

“Part of our strategic planning is building relationships with other carriers that enables Air Vanuatu to tap in to new markets and thus bring more traffic to Vanuatu,” Laloyer said.

 Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer, Simon Foo said codeshare arrangements benefit passengers from both markets as it introduces competition between airlines to sell seats on the aircraft, and urged customers to take advantage of this new arrangement with Air Vanuatu.

“The codeshare agreement also allows passengers in both markets to make seamless connections and to have a wider choice through fares and tickets than currently available,” he said.

Air Niugini will be operating Boeing 737 aircraft for this service. It operates twice weekly, every Tuesday and Thursday to Port Vila via Honiara, and returns the next day (Wednesday and Friday).

In a codeshare agreement, both airlines participate in selling seats on an aircraft, one as an operating carrier and the other sells as the marketing carrier.

Under this arrangement, Air Niugini is the operating carrier and Air Vanuatu as the marketing carrier is now able to place its “NF” code on all Air Niugini flights operating between Port Moresby and Port Vila, Vanuatu. This includes the intermediate sector between Honiara, Solomon Islands and Port Vila.

Solomon Airlines also code shares with Air Niugini on this route, as well as on all flights between Port Moresby and Honiara.