โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
30
minutes
Domestic โ International
60
minutes
Interline Connections
90
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
North West Santo Airport (OLJ), also known as Olpoi Airport, is a remote domestic airstrip located in the village of Olpoi on the northwest coast of Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. The facility serves as a vital transportation link for this isolated community, featuring a basic terminal infrastructure that typically consists of an open-air shelter or a modest building for passenger processing.
Amenities at the airport are extremely limited, reflecting its status as a rural island airstrip. There are no shops, restaurants, ATMs, or Wi-Fi services available on-site, so travelers are strongly encouraged to bring their own water, snacks, and essential supplies. Ground transportation is informal and primarily consists of pre-arranged 4WD transfers or pickups provided by local guesthouses.
The airfield features a 3,937-foot (1,200m) grass runway (17/35) suitable for small turboprop aircraft like the Twin Otter. Scheduled services, primarily operated by Air Vanuatu, are low-frequency and highly dependent on weather conditions and local demand. Passengers should be aware of strict baggage weight limits and are advised to reconfirm flight schedules with airline offices in Luganville prior to their journey.
๐ Connection Tips
North West Santo Airport is a small grass field on Espiritu Santo, and its connection role is the one you would expect for a Vanuatu island strip: light aircraft, local movement, and a short hop between communities that are otherwise much farther apart by road or boat. The airport is not large, but it is useful because the island geography makes quick access valuable.
The runway surface and the short field length tell you a lot about how to think about OLJ. This is a utility airstrip for nearby communities and travel to the western side of Santo, so the sensible move is to know your pickup and your next destination before you land. If your trip includes the island road or a resort transfer, the airport is simply the fast part of the journey.
Because island schedules can be flexible and weather can change quickly, the best connection is the one that has already been confirmed with the operator. North West Santo Airport works when the flight and the ground leg are both modest and both planned. The small island network is easier when the flight time, road pickup, and operator are all talking to each other. A booked local transfer is what keeps the island leg on time.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Siwo Airport (EAE) is a small domestic airfield serving Emae Island in the Shefa Province of Vanuatu. Located approximately 3.7 kilometers from the main island settlement, the airport provides a critical link for the local community and the occasional intrepid traveler. It features a single unpaved runway, often composed of crushed coral and grass, which is primarily suitable for Short Take-off and Landing (STOL) aircraft. The airfield is characteristic of Vanuatu's 'outer island' infrastructure, where aviation is the most reliable method of transport for people and essential goods.
The terminal facilities at Siwo are extremely rudimentary and typical of remote Pacific island strips. There is no formal terminal building; instead, a simple open-air pavilion or basic shelter serves as the meeting point for arriving and departing passengers. Amenities are virtually non-existent, with no retail shops, dining facilities, or public restrooms dedicated solely to the airport. Travelers should expect manual processing by a local airport agent, and it is a standard requirement to pay a small provincial departure tax (typically around VT200) in cash directly at the airfield before boarding any flight.
Air Vanuatu is the sole provider of scheduled services to Siwo, connecting Emae with the national capital, Port Vila (VLI), and other islands in the Shepherd group. Flights are often operated as part of a 'milk run' route with multiple stops and use smaller turboprop aircraft like the Twin Otter. Due to the remote nature of the island and the unpaved runway, flight operations are highly dependent on favorable weather conditions and daylight hours. Ground transportation on the island is predominantly by foot or via pre-arranged private vehicles from local guesthouses, as there are no regular taxi or bus services stationed at the airport.
๐ Connection Tips
Siwo Airport (EAE) on Emae Island is a quintessential 'outer island' airstrip in Vanuatu, and navigating its unique logistics is essential for a smooth journey. The most critical connection tip is to carry a sufficient amount of Vatu (VT) in small denominations, as you will be required to pay a mandatory provincial departure tax of approximately VT200 in cash directly to the local agent before boarding. There are no ATMs or credit card facilities on Emae Island, so all transactions must be handled in the local currency. Air Vanuatu is the sole provider of scheduled services, typically connecting Emae with Port Vila (VLI).
These flights are often operated as part of a 'milk run' route, meaning the plane may make several stops at other Shepherd Islands like Tongoa (TGH) or Epi before reaching the capital. Be prepared for a scenic but multi-stop journey. Because the flights use small Twin Otter turboprop aircraft, there are very strict luggage weight limits, usually capped at 10kg to 15kg per person; over-packing can lead to your bags being bumped to a later flight. There is no formal terminal building at Siwo, only a basic open-air shelter, so be prepared for the tropical sun or sudden rain showers during your wait.
Ground transportation is non-existent in the traditional sense; there are no taxis or buses waiting at the strip. You must pre-arrange a pickup with your local guesthouse, or be prepared for a long walk to the main villages. Weather is the final major factor; the crushed coral and grass runway can become unusable after heavy rain, and flights are frequently delayed or canceled during the cyclone season (November to April). It is highly recommended to build a 'buffer day' into your itinerary before any international flight out of Port Vila.
โ Back to North West Santo Airport