Air Force bringing people home

The Air Force has assisted with a further repatriation flight of Vanuatu nationals from New Zealand.

The Government of Vanuatu requested assistance from New Zealand to get their citizens home, due to the ongoing unavailability of commercial flights as a result of Covid-19 restrictions.

Passengers included more than 100 Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme workers and scholarship students stranded in New Zealand since March. The flight was also used to return the remains of Vanuatu’s late High Commissioner to New Zealand, Johnson Naviti. Members of Mr Naviti’s family were also on the flight.

The 119 passengers on board No. 40 Squadron’s Boeing 757 were subject to health pre-screening measures before boarding in New Zealand and were required to follow Vanuatu’s entry protocols, including 14 days of managed quarantine.

Air Force air crews routinely undertake measures to prevent any potential spread of Covid-19, including health screening, physical distancing and wearing of personal protective equipment.

“We’re pleased we’ve been able to assist with returning Vanuatu nationals to their loved ones back home,” Air Component Commander Air Commodore Tim Walshe said.

“The global Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted normal travel routes, including seasonal workers from Vanuatu, many of whom would ordinarily have returned home by now.”

The flight followed eight repatriation flights in June when more than 1,000 Vanuatu nationals were taken home after their travel plans were disrupted by Covid-19 restrictions.

Eight passengers boarded the aircraft at Base Auckland, with the majority boarding at Base Ohakea and the Air Movements terminal at Christchurch International Airport.