13 Aug 2019

Plans for second airfield on Vanuatu's Ambrym Island

8:33 pm on 13 August 2019

Plans are underway to build a second airfield on the Vanuatu island of Ambrym.

An Air Vanuatu plane taking off

An Air Vanuatu plane taking off Photo: RNZI

The volcanic island already has an airstrip on its south side.

The Daily Post newspaper reports that the new airstrip will cost a total of $US1.3 million and won't be tar sealed.

Ambrym Island is famous for its twin active volcanoes which in 1913 forced the then colonial joint administration of Britain and France to evacuate the island's population.

The islanders were moved to Epi Island, Malekula Island and Efate Island where the capital of Port Vila is located.

Hundreds of Ambrym residents were relocated from the island earlier this year due to the threat from volcanic eruptions.