Australia raised its travel advisory for Vanuatu volcanic areas to Level 3 on July 20. Mount Yasur and Ambrym remain active with ash plumes reaching 3000 metres. The alert covers the islands of Tanna and Ambrym until further notice.
Flights to Tanna airport have been suspended since July 18 after ash damaged two aircraft engines. Evacuation centres on Tanna currently house 1200 residents. New Zealand issued a matching advisory on the same day.
Vanuatu last experienced major disruption in 2023 when a similar plume grounded flights for nine days. Tourism accounts for 40 percent of the national economy. International arrivals dropped 22 percent during the previous event.
What this means for you
Cancel or postpone trips to Tanna and Ambrym booked before August 15. Rebook to Efate island resorts which remain at Level 2. Check airline policies for fee-free changes on flights arriving before July 31.
Carry N95 masks and travel insurance that covers volcanic ash disruptions. Avoid booking cruises that list Tanna as a port of call until the alert drops.
Officials will review the advisory every 14 days starting August 3 based on seismic data from the Vanuatu Meteorology Department.