Travel

Port Vila to Tanna: Air Vanuatu Flights, Fares and Baggage (2026)

How to fly from Port Vila to Tanna: Air Vanuatu fares from VUV 17,600, fare rules, ID and baggage limits, what the new Twin Otter means for reliability, and how to plan around cyclone season.

Filed under
Travel
Where
Efate · Port Vila, Tanna
Reading time
6 min read
By
Vanuatu Times Editorial Desk
Published
Illustrated route card from Port Vila to Tanna in Vanuatu with Air Vanuatu fares from VUV 17,600 one way, about 45 minutes flying time and a 10 kg bag allowance

Short answer: Air Vanuatu flies Port Vila to Tanna (Whitegrass Airport, TAH) on its domestic network, and its own site advertises fares from VUV 17,600 one way or VUV 35,190 return (checked 6 November 2026). The flight takes about 45 minutes. You need government photo ID for every passenger, including infants, and the fare conditions list a 10 kg bag allowance for adults on the cheapest fare, so pack light for the small aircraft. Book directly with the airline, and leave a spare day before any international connection.

Tanna is the island most visitors add to a Vanuatu trip because of Mount Yasur, and the hop from Port Vila is the only step that needs planning. This guide covers the fare and rules as published by Air Vanuatu, what the airline's recent fleet news means for reliability, and what to do on arrival. It builds on our Tanna island guide and our Mount Yasur visit guide, and it sits alongside our guide to international flights to Vanuatu.

How to get from Port Vila to Tanna

You fly. Air Vanuatu's Tanna page says the island is reached by daily domestic flights from Port Vila to Whitegrass Airport, and that Air Vanuatu operates the main domestic services. Tanna's main town and airport hub is Lenakel. The operator's description is "daily", but exact days and times change, so use the airline's own timetable rather than an older blog or an agent's quote.

Air Vanuatu publishes its domestic operating schedule as PDF files on its flight schedules page. On 6 November 2026 that page listed a domestic schedule running from 13 July 2026, and a further schedule that starts on 1 January 2027. If your trip crosses the new year, check which one applies to your dates. The booking engine on the same site shows live availability.

Port Vila has a domestic terminal of its own, so allow time for check-in there. Our Port Vila airport guide explains the terminal layout, ATMs and transport.

Fares and fare rules (Air Vanuatu, checked 6 November 2026)

The airline's Port Vila to Tanna fare page lists these figures. They are "from" prices, marked with an asterisk, so treat them as a guide and confirm at checkout.

  • One way: from VUV 17,600 per adult.
  • Return: from VUV 35,190 per adult. That is almost exactly double the one-way fare, so a return ticket does not save money. Choose whichever suits your plans.
  • For comparison: Port Vila to Santo is listed from VUV 19,320 one way.
  • Stay length: 0 to 365 days; open tickets are not allowed.
  • Changes: allowed with a fee of VUV 1,000 from one day before the flight until departure.
  • Refunds: refundable with a fee of VUV 5,000 on the same basis.
  • Name change: permitted for VUV 5,000.
  • No-show: you lose the fare.
  • Bags: the fare conditions show an adult bag allowance of 10 kg.

The no-show rule is strict. If your international flight into Port Vila is late, call or email Air Vanuatu before your domestic departure rather than simply not turning up. Our Vanuatu money guide explains cards, ATMs and how much vatu cash to carry.

ID, check-in and bags

  • ID: Air Vanuatu says every passenger must show valid government-issued photo identification at check-in and at the gate. It accepts a passport, national ID, VNPF card, driver's licence, school ID card, or police or military ID. Infants need photo ID too, and a birth certificate is not accepted.
  • Carry-on liquids: liquids over 100 ml are not allowed in hand luggage and must be checked in.
  • Online check-in with no bags: the airline's domestic FAQ says you can go straight to the gate, but you must be there at least 45 minutes before departure.
  • Baggage: the exact allowance is on the airline's baggage page, and the 10 kg figure above is from the fare conditions. Small turboprops are weight-limited, so do not assume you can bring a full suitcase. Leave bulky items at your Port Vila hotel if you are returning there.

What the airline's recent fleet news means for you

Air Vanuatu now flies domestic routes only, and it is being rebuilt as a nationally owned airline. Our flights to Vanuatu guide explains the background. The latest news is practical for anyone planning a Tanna trip.

  • On Monday 26 October 2026 the airline received its fifth Twin Otter at Bauerfield, after an eight-day ferry flight from Florida that involved more than 60 hours of flying and stops at five international airports, according to PACNEWS reporting in the Post Courier on 27 October 2026.
  • The same report says it is the second Twin Otter fully owned by the Vanuatu Government, after the Vanua Endeavour in January, and that the two aircraft together represent an investment of VT1.2 billion.
  • The Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister said the process to acquire a second ATR 72-600 has begun, with delivery targeted for next year. Aero South Pacific reported on 28 October that Air Vanuatu had issued a request for proposals for the second ATR.

More aircraft should mean more resilience when one is out of service, but the fleet is still small. A single grounded aircraft or a weather delay can ripple across the network, so build slack into your plans. These are plans and arrivals, not promises of new Tanna frequencies, so do not book around flights that are not yet on the schedule.

One more thing to know when you read the airline's FAQ page. As of 6 November 2026 it still carries a notice that Air Vanuatu (Operations) Limited is in liquidation and that tickets paid for before the liquidators were appointed will not be honoured, and it points to the claims process and to card-issuer refunds. That notice is about older bookings. For a new trip, book on the airline's own website, pay by a credit card that gives you chargeback protection, and keep your e-ticket.

Planning around weather, volcano and connections

  • Cyclone season: it runs from November to April, and this year forecasters expect an active season. Flights can be delayed or cancelled when a Blue, Yellow or Red alert is in force. Read our cyclone season guide and take travel insurance that covers storm disruption.
  • International connections: do not book a tight turnaround between Tanna and your flight home. Return to Port Vila at least a day before you leave Vanuatu. Our airport guide also advises generous buffers because small-aircraft schedules and weather change often.
  • The volcano: check the current alert level for Mount Yasur on the day, as explained in our volcano alert levels guide. Tour operators and your accommodation will advise on access.
  • Fixed dates: these are small aircraft, so book early if your dates cannot move, for example a wedding or a connection home.

On arrival in Tanna

Air Vanuatu says resorts and tour providers offer transfers on arrival, and that guided transport is recommended for the volcano and for remote attractions. Arrange your pick-up before you fly rather than hoping to find transport at the airstrip. Mount Yasur is on customary land and local people run access, guiding and transport, so ask your host about fees and carry vatu cash. Our kastom explainer covers etiquette for village visits.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the flight from Port Vila to Tanna?

About 45 minutes, according to our Mount Yasur guide. Allow extra time for check-in and boarding.

How much is a Port Vila to Tanna flight?

Air Vanuatu lists fares from VUV 17,600 one way and VUV 35,190 return per adult. Prices vary by date and availability.

How much luggage can I bring?

The fare conditions for the cheapest Port Vila to Tanna fare show a 10 kg bag allowance for adults. Check the baggage page and your booking confirmation before you pack.

Do children and infants need ID?

Yes. Air Vanuatu requires photo ID for every passenger, including infants, and does not accept a birth certificate as ID.

Can I change or cancel my ticket?

Yes, with fees: VUV 1,000 to change and VUV 5,000 to refund on the fare listed, as of 6 November 2026. A no-show loses the fare.

Sources

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