Air Vanuatu (NF, Port Vila) has inquired with numerous airlines in the region for spare capacity to compensate for the grounding of its sole ATR72-600 due to a maintenance issue with one of its engines, chief executive officer Joseph Laloyer told public broadcaster VTBC.

YJ-AV73 (msn 1358) has been parked at Port Vila since August 1, 2025, following its arrival from Espiritu Santo, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows. Laloyer admitted that due to the global shortage of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127M engines, the aircraft will remain on the ground for longer, and the carrier is now looking for alternative ways of covering its domestic network.

Air Vanuatu approached Fiji Airways, Solomons - Solomon Airlines, Aircalin, and some Australian carriers over a potential wet-lease agreement or other capacity-sharing deal.

The carrier did not respond to ch-aviation's request for comment.

Air Vanuatu's two DHC-6-300s remain in service. The ni-Vanuatu flag carrier used the ATR mainly to operate routes to Espiritu Santo and Tanna. Both are now served with the smaller Twin Otters, albeit at a reduced frequency.