Starting 4 July, the weekly flights will operate non-stop from Brisbane to Espiritu Santo on Thursdays, returning the same day via Port Vila on a similar schedule to the former Air Vanuatu route.
The Qatari flag carrier, which has been angling to increase its presence in Australia but was last year rebuffed by the federal government, could be interested in buying up to 20 per cent of Virgin from current owner Bain Capital.
Starting 10 September, Qantas will fly three 737-800 services per week from Brisbane to Port Vila, with the capacity for up to five based on demand, while Jetstar will begin up to four weekly flights from Sydney to Port Vila on 12 December.
