โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Sola Airport (Vanua Lava Airport) serves as the grass-runway gateway to Vanuatu's northernmost Banks Islands, positioned on Vanua Lava island 120 kilometers north-northeast of Espiritu Santo where local culture remains unblemished by the modern world. Located at 7 feet elevation with a 700-meter grass runway that closes during rain, the facility connects Sola - capital village of Torba Province - to Air Vanuatu's Monday, Wednesday, and Friday service linking these remote Pacific islands to the outside world.
Terminal facilities consist of basic manual processing with no formal amenities, requiring complete self-sufficiency in Vanuatu Vatu currency and pre-arranged transportation through local guesthouses due to the absence of ATMs, banking facilities, or formal taxi services. Ground movement relies on 4WD trucks for distant destinations or walking for nearby accommodations, while 'banana boat' motorized dinghies provide transfers to neighboring islands like Mota Lava during suitable weather conditions.
Operational characteristics center on Air Vanuatu Twin Otter operations serving the Banks Islands with strict baggage weight limits and weather-dependent schedules affected by tropical wet season visibility, alongside Air Taxi Vanuatu charter services connecting to islands featuring mountains, volcanoes, crocodiles, reefs, rivers, waterfalls, and pristine rainforests. Flight reconfirmations with local Air Vanuatu agents are essential 24 hours before departure.
Strategic importance encompasses maintaining vital connections for the Banks Islands where traditional Melanesian culture thrives in isolation, supporting access to Vanua Lava's natural wonders including volcanic landscapes and diverse ecosystems, and preserving the administrative hub for Torba Province where Sola serves as the regional center for communities scattered across multiple islands accessible only by small aircraft and traditional boats in one of the South Pacific's most remote and culturally intact archipelagos.
๐ Connection Tips
Sola Airport (SLH), also known as Vanua Lava Airport, is the primary air link for the Banks Islands in northern Vanuatu. For those with heavy bags or heading to more distant parts of the island, ground transportation typically consists of 4WD trucks, which should be pre-arranged through your accommodation host. Small aircraft, such as the Twin Otter, are the standard for flights to SLH, so strict baggage weight limits apply. Because the airport is so close to the main settlement, many travelers with light luggage simply walk to their nearby guesthouses.
The airfield features a basic grass runway and a simple terminal building where processing is handled manually. There are no formal taxis or public bus services at the terminal. It is critical for travelers to know that there are no ATMs or banking facilities at Sola Airport; you must bring an ample supply of Vatu (local currency) from Port Vila or Luganville to cover all transportation, lodging, and island activities. Navigating connections at SLH is uniquely informal compared to larger commercial hubs.
These boat transfers often depart from the beach near the Sola township and should also be coordinated in advance. Located on the island of Vanua Lava, just a short distance from the administrative center of Sola, the airport acts as a vital hub for regional travel within the archipelago. As Sola is the regional hub, many travelers connect directly from their flight to a 'banana boat' (motorized dinghy) for transfers to other nearby islands, such as Mota Lava or Rah. During the tropical wet season, flight schedules can be highly unpredictable due to localized weather; it is advisable to re-confirm your flight status with the local Air Vanuatu agent in Sola town 24 hours before your planned departure.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
60
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Dillon's Bay Airport (DLY) is a remote aviation facility located on the western coast of Erromango Island, within the Tafรฉa Province of Vanuatu. As the primary airfield for the island, it serves the local community of Dillon's Bay and acts as a critical link for the transportation of goods, medical supplies, and passengers. The airport's location is remarkably scenic, situated between the rugged volcanic highlands and the pristine waters of the bay, offering travelers a true sense of the isolated beauty of the Vanuatu archipelago.
The airfield infrastructure is minimalist and designed for rugged operations, featuring a single unpaved runway that measures approximately 660 meters (2,165 feet) in length. This short strip is specifically utilized by Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) aircraft, such as the Twin Otters frequently used by regional carriers. The terminal facility consists of a single, modest building that provides essential shelter and basic passenger processing areas, including a small baggage claim zone and restrooms. Due to the island's remote nature, power supplies can be intermittent, and the facility reflects the functional, laid-back atmosphere of life on Erromango.
Travelers arriving at or departing from DLY should be prepared for a highly self-sufficient experience. There are no commercial dining or retail options at the airport, so passengers are strongly advised to carry their own snacks, water, and sufficient cash for local needs. Regular inter-island services are primarily operated by Air Vanuatu, connecting the island to the national capital, Port Vila (VLI). Ground transportation is limited and typically involves pre-arranged transfers or small local vehicles to reach the Dillon's Bay community. The airport remains a vital asset for both the local population and the small number of eco-tourists who visit Erromango for its unique history and untouched natural landscapes.
๐ Connection Tips
Dillon's Bay Airport (DLY) is a remote grass and coral airstrip on the western coast of Erromango Island, Vanuatu. For travelers connecting through DLY, the most important tip is to understand the logistics of 'Island Time' and the limited infrastructure. There are no taxis or rental cars waiting at the strip; you must pre-arrange a 4WD truck or boat transfer with your guesthouse (like the Dillon's Bay Guesthouse) well before your flight arrives. Air Vanuatu operates the only scheduled services, typically using small Twin Otter turboprop aircraft.
A critical connection tip is the strict luggage weight limit, often capped between 10kg and 16kg per person; excess baggage is expensive and often bumped to a later flight if the plane is full. The terminal is a basic open-air shelter with no amenities like Wi-Fi, food, or water, so be completely self-sufficient. There are no ATMs on Erromango Island, and credit cards are not accepted anywhere; carry enough Vatu (VT) in small denominations for all your transport, accommodation, and local needs.
Because the airstrip is unpaved, it can become soft and unusable after heavy tropical rain, which is common in Vanuatu. Always build at least one 'buffer day' into your return itinerary to avoid missing international connections in Port Vila (VLI). For those seeking an authentic, untouched Pacific experience, DLY provides a spectacular entry point, but it requires meticulous logistical preparation and a flexible mindset.
โ Back to Sola Airport