Port Vila Bauerfield Airport

Not Verified | Harry Bauer lounge at Port Vila Airport is located airside after passing through Immigration and Customs. We travelled Business Class on Air Vanuatu and were handed lounge invitations. Its best kept secret that this lounge is also a pay as you go Lounge, so anyone (Economy Class passengers as well) can actually access the lounge on paying a fee when the lounge is open before each departure. I didn't ask what the fee was, but did notice they accept credit cards by way of a credit card machine, contrary to some reviews some years back stating they only accept cash. The lounge is air conditioned, very welcoming after walking through the non-air conditioned public waiting area. There is a refrigerator with non-alcoholic drinks/sodas as well as a selection of local beers. Minimal snacks are on offer and comfortable seating with views out across the tarmac and runway. A quiet haven to sit and relax before the flight. There is sufficient seating for some 40 or more people, so not a small lounge but cosy enough. Sure beats waiting in the public area where there is no air conditioning.

This airport really needs a major overhaul. Vanuatu is becoming very popular with visitors from the south Pacific region so an upgrade to this airport is badly overdue. No WiFI no Qantas Club and very slow check-in facilities. The airport could also benefit from providing air conditioned comfort instead of over-head fans.