Home / / Cargo Airlines Air Vanuatu International Cargo Airlines flights from China
Air Vanuatu (IATA: NF) is the national flag carrier of the Republic of Vanuatu, a South Pacific island nation of 80 islands. Founded in 1981 and re-established in 2024 after restructuring, the airline operates domestic cargo services across the Vanuatu archipelago and provides international freight links to Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia and Fiji through its Port Vila hub.
Key facts about Air Vanuatu Cargo and its cargo proposition for shippers in China.
Air Vanuatu Cargo representation in mainland China.
Address: Air Vanuatu House, Bladiniere Estates, Port Vila, Vanuatu
Phone: +678 20200
Cargo Office: +678 20200 ext. 627 / 623 / 622 / 621 / 619
Email: dom.cargo@airvanuatu.vu
Group Cargo Email: cargogroup@airvanuatu.vu
Charter Enquiries: charter@airvanuatu.vu | +678 20200 ext. 855
Contact Person: Brandon Moses, Cargo Officer
Email: bmoses@airvanuatu.vu
ACP Worldwide serves as Air Vanuatu's exclusive cargo General Sales Agent (GSA) for Australia and New Zealand.
Scope: Sales, marketing, reservations, customer service and import functions.
Note: For China-origin cargo, please contact Goodhope Freight for coordination.
Air Vanuatu operates a compact fleet of turboprop aircraft suited to the South Pacific's island geography. Cargo is carried in the belly hold and cabin of passenger aircraft; no dedicated freighters are in service.
| Aircraft | Type | In service | Cargo Capacity | Typical routes | Cargo advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| De Havilland DHC-6-300 Twin Otter | Turboprop (belly/cabin cargo) | 4 (3 serviceable + 1 arriving Sep 2026) | [To be confirmed] | Port Vila – Santo, Tanna, Malekula, and remote island airstrips | STOL capability; reaches small island airstrips that larger aircraft cannot access; essential for inter-island connectivity |
| ATR 72-600 | Turboprop (belly cargo) | 1 (undergoing engine change/maintenance) | [To be confirmed] | Port Vila – Santo; regional routes (New Caledonia, Fiji planned) | Larger capacity than Twin Otter; suitable for higher-volume domestic and regional cargo |
| Boeing 737-800 (wet-leased, historical) | Narrow-body passenger (belly cargo) | Returned | [To be confirmed] | International routes to Australia, New Zealand (historical) | Previously provided international belly-hold cargo capacity; no longer in fleet |
| ATR 42 (planned) | Turboprop | Planned | [To be confirmed] | Domestic and regional routes | Additional capacity for domestic network; under consideration |
* Cargo figures are approximate. Air Vanuatu's fleet has been significantly reduced following its 2024 restructuring. The airline is working to rebuild its domestic network, with the fourth Twin Otter arriving September 2026 and the ATR 72-600 undergoing maintenance. The airline has announced plans to add an ATR 42 by 2030 and expand regional services.
Air Vanuatu Cargo's services connecting China with Vanuatu.
For reference, Air Vanuatu's current international network includes the following key destinations:
| Route | Aircraft | Frequency | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Vila (VLI) ⇄ Brisbane (BNE) | Boeing 737-800 (wet-leased) | Weekly | Active |
| Port Vila (VLI) ⇄ Sydney (SYD) | Boeing 737-800 (wet-leased) | Weekly | Active |
| Port Vila (VLI) ⇄ Auckland (AKL) | Boeing 737-800 (wet-leased) | Weekly | Active |
| Port Vila (VLI) ⇄ Nouméa (NOU) | ATR 72-600 / Twin Otter | Regular | Active |
| Port Vila (VLI) ⇄ Nadi (NAN) | ATR 72-600 / Twin Otter | Regular | Active |
| Guangzhou (CAN) ⇄ Port Vila (VLI) via Port Moresby (POM) | China Southern Airlines | Trial service (Apr 2025) | Trial / future potential |
Air Vanuatu's international schedule is subject to change due to the airline's ongoing restructuring. The airline is also exploring regional expansion to New Caledonia and Fiji. Please consult your local agent for the latest schedule and confirmed connections.
Destinations reachable from China through the Air Vanuatu Cargo network (via South Pacific gateways and interline partners).
Because Air Vanuatu does not currently serve China with its own aircraft, cargo from China first travels on a partner carrier to a South Pacific gateway — most commonly Brisbane, Sydney or Auckland — and then continues on Air Vanuatu metal to Port Vila and onward to domestic destinations. The countries and territories reached through the Air Vanuatu network include:
Recommended China routing: Guangzhou (CAN) → Brisbane (BNE) / Sydney (SYD) / Auckland (AKL) via partner carrier → Port Vila (VLI) on Air Vanuatu. Exact routing, carriers and transit points are per shipment — please consult your local agent for the latest schedule.
Why Chinese exporters use Air Vanuatu Cargo for Vanuatu and South Pacific-bound cargo.
For Chinese manufacturers and traders, Air Vanuatu Cargo offers a specialised, essential air freight solution into Vanuatu and the wider South Pacific region — a market where direct shipping options from China are extremely limited and air freight is often the only practical choice for time-sensitive or high-value goods.
Sole scheduled domestic cargo carrier for Vanuatu's 80 islands. Air Vanuatu is the only operator of scheduled domestic air services across the Vanuatu archipelago, serving major islands including Santo, Tanna and Malekula as well as remote island airstrips. The airline's fleet of De Havilland Twin Otters, with their STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) capability, reaches small islands that no other carrier serves. This makes Air Vanuatu an indispensable last-mile partner for any cargo destined for Vanuatu's outer islands. For Chinese exporters targeting Vanuatu's domestic market — whether for construction materials, consumer goods, or industrial equipment — Air Vanuatu provides genuine last-mile reach that no competitor can match.
Comprehensive cargo products including special handling. Air Vanuatu Cargo offers a range of services designed to meet the diverse needs of shippers:
— General Cargo: Parcels, goods and general freight
— Perishable Cargo: Fresh produce and temperature-sensitive goods, vital for Vanuatu's agricultural exports
— Live Animals: Transported in compliance with regulations
— Dangerous Goods: Handled under special conditions with IATA-compliant packaging and labelling; MSDS required
— Vulnerable Goods: High-value and sensitive shipments
— Charter Services: Dedicated cargo flights for large-volume shipments, available for all major national airports
Strategic position as Vanuatu's national carrier. As the national flag carrier, Air Vanuatu plays a central role in Vanuatu's transportation network and supports economic development, tourism and community access across the country. The airline is government-owned and is working to strengthen its financial position and reduce dependence on government assistance. For Chinese exporters and freight forwarders, Air Vanuatu offers a reliable, locally-based partner with deep knowledge of Vanuatu's regulatory environment, customs procedures and island logistics — expertise that is essential for navigating the complexities of shipping to remote Pacific destinations.
Growing regional connectivity and China potential. Air Vanuatu has expressed interest in expanding its regional network, including potential services to New Caledonia and Fiji, and is evaluating the acquisition of an additional ATR aircraft to support this growth. The trial China Southern Airlines service from Guangzhou to Port Vila (via Port Moresby) in April 2025 marked the first mainland China–Vanuatu air link, signalling growing interest in direct connectivity between the two countries. While this service is currently a trial, it represents a potential future pathway for more direct China–Vanuatu cargo routing. For now, Goodhope Freight can coordinate the most efficient routing via South Pacific gateways.
Goodhope Freight consolidates and negotiates on the China side, so exporters benefit from consolidated rates, predictable departures and local Chinese-language support. We work with Air Vanuatu Cargo and its regional GSA network to confirm space on the best available routing for your Vanuatu-bound shipments.
How to book Air Vanuatu Cargo space from mainland China through Goodhope Freight.
How Air Vanuatu Cargo's Port Vila hub and specialised services create value for freight from China.
Air Vanuatu is built around a single, strategically positioned hub: Bauerfield International Airport (VLI) in Port Vila, with a secondary hub at Santo-Pekoa International Airport (SON) in Luganville, Espiritu Santo. From Port Vila, the airline operates an extensive domestic network across Vanuatu's 80 islands — one of the most dispersed archipelagos in the world — using a fleet of De Havilland Twin Otters and an ATR 72-600. International services connect Port Vila with Brisbane, Sydney, Auckland, Nouméa and Nadi.
Comprehensive domestic cargo network. Air Vanuatu Cargo is the only carrier offering scheduled cargo services across Vanuatu's island group. The airline connects Port Vila with major islands including Santo, Tanna and Malekula, as well as remote airstrips serving smaller communities. This domestic network is essential for the distribution of imported goods, agricultural exports, medical supplies and essential commodities throughout the archipelago. The Twin Otter fleet's STOL capability enables operations from short, unpaved airstrips that are inaccessible to larger aircraft — a unique capability that no competitor provides.
Specialised cargo handling. Air Vanuatu Cargo offers a comprehensive range of special cargo services:
— Live Animals: Transported in compliance with biosecurity and animal welfare regulations
— Perishables: Temperature-sensitive goods including fresh produce, seafood and flowers; critical for Vanuatu's agricultural and fisheries export sectors
— Dangerous Goods: Compressed gases, flammable liquids and poisons carried under special conditions of acceptance, packaging and labelling in compliance with IATA regulations; Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) required
— Vulnerable Cargo: High-value and sensitive shipments requiring special care
— Charter Services: Dedicated cargo flights for large quantities, available for all major national airports
International freight links to South Pacific gateways. Air Vanuatu provides dedicated freight links to and from Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia and Fiji through its international services. The airline works with freight forwarding partners and Vanuatu Post Ltd to improve the flow of cargo from key international airports in Australia and New Zealand to Port Vila, and to facilitate the export of local products by air freight to destinations in Asia, Europe and the USA. ACP Worldwide serves as Air Vanuatu's exclusive cargo GSA for Australia and New Zealand, providing sales, marketing, reservations, customer service and import functions.
Looking ahead. Air Vanuatu is undergoing significant restructuring following its 2024 liquidation and subsequent resumption of services. The airline has received its fourth Twin Otter (arriving September 2026) to strengthen domestic operations, and its ATR 72-600 is undergoing an engine change and maintenance, expected to return to service. The airline is evaluating the acquisition of an additional ATR aircraft and has announced plans to expand into regional markets including New Caledonia and Fiji. The trial China Southern Airlines service from Guangzhou to Port Vila in April 2025 marked the first mainland China–Vanuatu air link, and while currently a trial, it signals growing interest in direct connectivity between the two countries. With a restored domestic network, specialised cargo capabilities and a clear growth strategy, Air Vanuatu Cargo is a pragmatic, essential partner for Chinese exporters targeting Vanuatu and the South Pacific.