Santo Pekoa International Airport
Luganville, Vanuatu
Santo Pekoa International Airport
Vanuatu's northern gateway serving Espiritu Santo island.
- ›Built during World War II as a major Allied military airbase on Espiritu Santo.
- ›Espiritu Santo served as one of the largest US military bases in the South Pacific during WWII.
- ›The airport is named after the Pekoa area where it is situated.
- ›It is the second busiest airport in Vanuatu after Bauerfield International Airport in Port Vila.
- ›Espiritu Santo is Vanuatu's largest island and a significant diving and tourism destination.
Santo Pekoa International Airport serves Luganville on Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu's largest island and the country's second-largest urban centre. Originally built during World War II by American forces, the airfield retains echoes of its wartime past while functioning as a key regional hub for inter-island and international connections. It plays a vital role in linking Santo's growing tourism industry, diving destinations, and agricultural economy to the wider Pacific.
- Main Terminal — A compact single-story terminal handling both domestic and international arrivals and departures with basic passenger facilities.
- Taxis available outside the terminal for hire to Luganville town centre
- Pre-arranged hotel shuttle transfers offered by most resorts
- Car rental desks or arrangements available through local operators
- Mini-vans and shared transport occasionally available for town routes
- Espiritu Hotel
- Hotel Santo
- Beachfront Bungalows Luganville
- Deco Stop Lodge
The terminal offers very limited food and beverage options, so travellers are advised to eat before arriving at the airport. Luganville town, a short drive away, has a range of local restaurants, markets, and cafes serving fresh seafood, tropical produce, and Pacific cuisine. Resorts in the area typically offer dining facilities that reflect the island's relaxed and flavourful culinary culture.
- Arrive well ahead of your flight as check-in procedures can be leisurely and queues unpredictable during peak travel.
- Carry local vatu currency as card payment facilities at the airport and nearby businesses may be limited.
- The WWII-era SS President Coolidge wreck nearby is world-famous for diving — plan extra days to explore it.
- Insect repellent is essential; the tropical climate means mosquitoes are active particularly around dawn and dusk.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
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