Frequently asked questions
About us
Q: How safe are your aircraft?
A. The safety of our passengers is our highest concern which is why Unity Airlines carries out its maintenance with Air Vanuatu, an international airline affiliated with Qantas, that has to meet the International Aviation and Transport Association, Australian and New Zealand standards for aircraft maintenance. We also only operate twin engined aircraft to ensure an additional level of safety for flights over water. All aircraft are fitted with latest safety equipment including life jackets and ground based minute-by-minute GPS tracking systems. We are the only operator to have all its aircraft and pilots equipped to fly IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) which means we can fly in almost all weather conditions. We have had no major incidents in our 22 years of operating.
Q. How experienced are your pilots?
A. As safety is our priority, Unity Airlines only employs the highest standard of pilot. All have their Commercial Pilots License and are Instrument Flight Rules qualified on multi-engined aircraft and all significantly exceed the Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu requirements. Most are trained in Australia and New Zealand and have thousands of hours of flight experience under their belt. They have flown in countries with similar conditions to Vanuatu such as the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Caribbean, Botswana and Outback Australia. The quality of our pilots is such that many have gone on to be employed by large airlines like Air Vanuatu, Air New Zealand, Delta, and Qantas.
A. The safety of our passengers is our highest concern which is why Unity Airlines carries out its maintenance with Air Vanuatu, an international airline affiliated with Qantas, that has to meet the International Aviation and Transport Association, Australian and New Zealand standards for aircraft maintenance. We also only operate twin engined aircraft to ensure an additional level of safety for flights over water. All aircraft are fitted with latest safety equipment including life jackets and ground based minute-by-minute GPS tracking systems. We are the only operator to have all its aircraft and pilots equipped to fly IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) which means we can fly in almost all weather conditions. We have had no major incidents in our 22 years of operating.
Q. How experienced are your pilots?
A. As safety is our priority, Unity Airlines only employs the highest standard of pilot. All have their Commercial Pilots License and are Instrument Flight Rules qualified on multi-engined aircraft and all significantly exceed the Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu requirements. Most are trained in Australia and New Zealand and have thousands of hours of flight experience under their belt. They have flown in countries with similar conditions to Vanuatu such as the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Caribbean, Botswana and Outback Australia. The quality of our pilots is such that many have gone on to be employed by large airlines like Air Vanuatu, Air New Zealand, Delta, and Qantas.
Mt Yasur Volcano Tour
Q. Why is Mt. Yasur voclano such a famous attraction?
A. Yasur Volcano on Tanna Island is the words most accessible active volcano. It has been erupting several times an hour for the past 800 years. However it can be safely approached. by 4x4 and a short walk to the crater While just flying over Yasur is breathtaking in itself, standing on the edge of Mount Yasur is a "once-in-lifetime" experience, and truly awesome - both by day and especially at night.
Q: Are the volcano tours dangerous?
A: Generally No. Mt Yasur is the most active and spectacular during the rainy season from late February to April but even then, it is seldom too active to cause cancellation the tours. Still, volcanos are unpredictable by nature and so you should follow your tour guide's instructions, particularly as regards staying away from any areas of the vent that are known to be potentially dangerous. These guides have grown up around the volcano and know its moods and behaviour very well.
Q: How active is the volcano?
A: The volcano is monitors live by the Vanuatu Geo-hazards Observatory. The broadcast the activity level on their website. The levels range from 0-4, where Level 0 is Low activity, access to the crater allowed; Level 1 is Normal activity, access to the crater allowed; Level 2 is Moderate to high activity, lava bombs may land beyond the crater rim, access to the crater is closed; Level 3 is Severe activity with loud explosions, lava bombs ejected up to hundreds of meters outside the crater and large plumes of smoke and ash, access to the summit zone is closed; Level 4 is Major eruption affecting large areas around the volcano and possibly other parts of Tanna and even neighbouring islands, all access closed. Mt Yasur is usually between Levels 0 and 1.
Q: How close can we get to the rim?
A: Access to the edge of crater rim is allowed dependent on permission from your guide. With their experience they will asses and manage the risk and judge how close you may go to the rim. Please remember that your safety is their priority and so long as you follow their instructions, there will be very little risk.
Q: Are their any age restrictions for the volcano tours?
A: The tour is suitable for people 4 years old and up who have a moderate level of fitness. The tour involves a rough and bouncy hour and a half 4x4 drive, safari style, to the volcano and a short 15 minute walk up hill from the car park to the crater rim. Unfortunately, the tours doesn't cater for those wheel chairs or severe disabilities.
Q: Can children fly in the aircraft and participate in the volcano tours?
A: Yes, children of any age can fly in our aircraft however, to go on tour children need to be 4 years or older. Special babysitting services can be arranged when booked in advance. We have special seat belts for the little ones so that they can sit on your lap for the duration of the flights. The pilots and tours guides are great with young kids. We do ask however, that young children are supervised constantly by their parents for their own safety, especially on the airports and the volcano crater.
Q: What is the 4x4 ride like to the Volcano?
A: The road to the Volcano is part of the adventure itself. It is a safari-like journey in a 4x4 Land Rover or Land Cruiser through beautiful jungles, fields, villages, and the ash plains. There is even a river to ford and some sections of the roads are rutted and full of pot-holes after heavy rains. Exciting isn't it? The best place to sit is on the back of the pick-up truck so you can stand up, take in the fresh air and enjoy the view The drive takes about 1.5 hours from the resort and your driver and guide will be happy to answer all the questions you may have. You may want to take a dust mask and glasses to protect your eyes and face from the volcanic ash in the air, especially as you get closer to the volcano.
If you have more questions please don't hesitate to contact us.
A. Yasur Volcano on Tanna Island is the words most accessible active volcano. It has been erupting several times an hour for the past 800 years. However it can be safely approached. by 4x4 and a short walk to the crater While just flying over Yasur is breathtaking in itself, standing on the edge of Mount Yasur is a "once-in-lifetime" experience, and truly awesome - both by day and especially at night.
Q: Are the volcano tours dangerous?
A: Generally No. Mt Yasur is the most active and spectacular during the rainy season from late February to April but even then, it is seldom too active to cause cancellation the tours. Still, volcanos are unpredictable by nature and so you should follow your tour guide's instructions, particularly as regards staying away from any areas of the vent that are known to be potentially dangerous. These guides have grown up around the volcano and know its moods and behaviour very well.
Q: How active is the volcano?
A: The volcano is monitors live by the Vanuatu Geo-hazards Observatory. The broadcast the activity level on their website. The levels range from 0-4, where Level 0 is Low activity, access to the crater allowed; Level 1 is Normal activity, access to the crater allowed; Level 2 is Moderate to high activity, lava bombs may land beyond the crater rim, access to the crater is closed; Level 3 is Severe activity with loud explosions, lava bombs ejected up to hundreds of meters outside the crater and large plumes of smoke and ash, access to the summit zone is closed; Level 4 is Major eruption affecting large areas around the volcano and possibly other parts of Tanna and even neighbouring islands, all access closed. Mt Yasur is usually between Levels 0 and 1.
Q: How close can we get to the rim?
A: Access to the edge of crater rim is allowed dependent on permission from your guide. With their experience they will asses and manage the risk and judge how close you may go to the rim. Please remember that your safety is their priority and so long as you follow their instructions, there will be very little risk.
Q: Are their any age restrictions for the volcano tours?
A: The tour is suitable for people 4 years old and up who have a moderate level of fitness. The tour involves a rough and bouncy hour and a half 4x4 drive, safari style, to the volcano and a short 15 minute walk up hill from the car park to the crater rim. Unfortunately, the tours doesn't cater for those wheel chairs or severe disabilities.
Q: Can children fly in the aircraft and participate in the volcano tours?
A: Yes, children of any age can fly in our aircraft however, to go on tour children need to be 4 years or older. Special babysitting services can be arranged when booked in advance. We have special seat belts for the little ones so that they can sit on your lap for the duration of the flights. The pilots and tours guides are great with young kids. We do ask however, that young children are supervised constantly by their parents for their own safety, especially on the airports and the volcano crater.
Q: What is the 4x4 ride like to the Volcano?
A: The road to the Volcano is part of the adventure itself. It is a safari-like journey in a 4x4 Land Rover or Land Cruiser through beautiful jungles, fields, villages, and the ash plains. There is even a river to ford and some sections of the roads are rutted and full of pot-holes after heavy rains. Exciting isn't it? The best place to sit is on the back of the pick-up truck so you can stand up, take in the fresh air and enjoy the view The drive takes about 1.5 hours from the resort and your driver and guide will be happy to answer all the questions you may have. You may want to take a dust mask and glasses to protect your eyes and face from the volcanic ash in the air, especially as you get closer to the volcano.
If you have more questions please don't hesitate to contact us.
CANCELLATION POLICY FOR CHARTERS AND TOURS
Unity Airlines Cancellation Fee Policy:
Unity Airlines will refund the full price of your tour if cancellation of flight is due to bad weather or due to other issues that prevent a tour from taking place, before commencement of flight.
- Cancellation fee within 48 hours of tour: 100%
- Cancellation fee within 7 days: 75%
- Cancellation fee beyond 7 days: 50%
Unity Airlines will refund the full price of your tour if cancellation of flight is due to bad weather or due to other issues that prevent a tour from taking place, before commencement of flight.