The Flying Kangaroo has taken off from Brisbane to Port Vila, Vanuatu, for the first time in Qantas‘ history.

The inaugural service, QF159, was at full capacity today with holidaymakers and business travellers making the near 3-hour journey to one of the Pacific’s hidden gems.

“We are thrilled to expand our network with the introduction of direct flights between Brisbane and Port Vila,” said Qantas Group CEO International, Cam Wallace. “This new route will maintain connectivity between Australia and the South Pacific, opening new opportunities for leisure and business travel to the region.

“With its lush landscapes and crystal blue waters, Vanuatu is a truly remarkable destination and we are proud to offer our customers more ways to experience its natural beauty.”

The new route offers three direct flights per week from the Sunshine State, and from 12 December 2024, Jetstar will also offer up to four weekly flights between Sydney and Port Vila.

Across both airlines this will create more than 150,000 new seats each year between Australia and Vanuatu and making it easier than ever for Australians to experience the beaches, rich culture, and unique adventures that Vanuatu has to offer.

The new flights will promote tourism between Australia and Vanuatu, strengthening economic ties and providing a boost to the local economy and tourism economy of the broader Pacific region, encouraging ongoing Australian visitation to the island capital.

Port Vila is one of the Flying Kangaroo’s four new international routes from the Queensland capital that it has launched within 12 months.

The inaugural service follows the launch of Brisbane to Wellington and Honiara in October 2023 and the upcoming launch of Brisbane to Manila in late-October 2024, which will add more than 100,000 seats between Australia and the Philippines each year.