Bauerfield International Airport
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Bauerfield International Airport
Vanuatu's main international gateway in the South Pacific.
- ›Originally built by the United States military during World War II as a strategic airfield.
- ›Named after Jimmy Bauerfield, a pioneering aviator associated with early aviation in the region.
- ›The airport sits at an elevation of approximately 70 feet (21 meters) above sea level.
- ›It is one of two airports on the island of Éfaté, the other being Rentapau Airport.
- ›Air Vanuatu uses the airport as its main operational base and maintenance hub.
Bauerfield International Airport serves Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, and has been the country's primary international gateway since the mid-20th century. Named after an American airman who died during World War II, the airport reflects the Pacific's complex wartime history and postcolonial development. It handles the majority of Vanuatu's international traffic, connecting the archipelago to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and beyond.
- Main Terminal — A single compact terminal handling both international and domestic arrivals and departures, with basic retail and dining facilities.
- Taxis available directly outside the terminal — negotiate fare before departure
- Minibuses (local 'bus' routes) run along main roads into Port Vila town center
- Car rental desks available inside the terminal from operators including Avis and Budget
- Hotel shuttle services offered by several Port Vila resorts on request
- Warwick Le Lagon Resort & Spa
- Iririki Island Resort & Spa
- Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu
- Ramada Resort Port Vila
- Breakas Beach Resort
Inside the terminal, options are limited to a small café and snack bar serving basic meals, sandwiches, and beverages before departure. Port Vila town, a short taxi ride away, offers a far wider selection of restaurants featuring fresh seafood, French-Melanesian cuisine, and international dining. Travellers are advised to eat in town before heading to the airport, as airside options are minimal.
- Arrive at least 2 hours before international flights as the terminal can get congested during peak departures.
- Carry Vanuatu Vatu (VUV) cash for taxis and minibuses, as card acceptance is not guaranteed at all transport providers.
- Confirm your hotel's shuttle availability in advance, as it can be more economical and convenient than a taxi.
- Customs and biosecurity checks are thorough — do not carry fresh fruit, soil, or plant material into or out of Vanuatu.
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Port Vila International Airport, widely known as Bauerfield International Airport, is an airport located in Port Vila, Vanuatu. The airport is relatively small in size, but its runway has the capability and length to accept large wide body jets such as the Airbus A330. It served as the international hub for Vanuatu's flag carrier airline, Air Vanuatu, until its bankruptcy in 2024.
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