Palikulo Bay Airfield

Espiritu Santo Is., VU 🇻🇺 Closed Airport

ICAO

VU-0003

IATA

-

Elevation

43 ft

Region

VU-SAM

Local Time

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Airport Information

GPS Code: Not available

Local Code: Not available

Location: -15.5016° N, 167.2458° E

Continent: OC

Type: Closed Airport

Keywords: Bomber Field #1

Terminal Information Not Available
Terminal arrivals and departures are only available for airports with scheduled commercial service and IATA codes.
Nearby Points of Interest

What Travelers Say

AI-Generated Summary Based on web research

Palikulo Bay Airfield (VU-0003) in Espiritu Santo is a former World War II airfield and is not an active commercial airport for travelers. It is largely overgrown and abandoned, with parts of its former perimeter track now forming a coastal road and one dispersal area used as school grounds. Recent traveler reviews and experiences are therefore not available for this historical site.

Travelers visiting Espiritu Santo Island utilize Santo International Airport (SON), also known as Santo-Pekoa International Airport (formerly Bomber Field No. 2 during WWII). Overall traveler sentiment for Santo International Airport is mixed, often appreciating its functionality for its size but noting significant shortcomings in facilities and amenities.

What Travelers Love
  • Functional and Efficient Arrivals: The airport is generally considered functional and the arrival process is often described as efficient.
  • Pleasant Staff: Staff are frequently noted as pleasant and focused on their duties.
  • Reasonable Cafe Prices: The small cafe within the terminal offers reasonably priced food and drinks.
  • Relatively Short Wait Times: Security wait times are estimated to be around 29-30 minutes, and immigration around 8 minutes.
Common Complaints
  • Limited and Basic Facilities: The single terminal building offers only basic passenger facilities, with a small number of shops and restaurants, and insufficient seating in the cafe.
  • Lack of Air Conditioning and Cleanliness: There is generally no air conditioning outside the customs area, leading to hot conditions, and not all fans are operational. Toilets have also been reported as dirty.
  • Slow Departure Process and Inconsistencies: Departure check-in can be slower, sometimes involving handwritten boarding passes. There have been isolated complaints of "selective scales" or refusal of service to tourists at check-in.
  • Needs Investment: Travelers often suggest the airport requires significant investment to meet modern modest standards.
  • Parking and Transportation: While taxis, rental cars, and shuttle buses are available, advance booking for parking is recommended.

In summary, Santo International Airport is a basic but generally functional gateway to Espiritu Santo, adequately serving its purpose for the volume of traffic it handles. However, travelers should manage expectations regarding modern amenities, air conditioning, and potentially slower departure procedures.

Generated True weeks ago
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This summary is automatically generated by AI based on web research of traveler reviews and experiences. AI-generated content may not always be 100% accurate.

Current Weather Conditions

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For Pilots

Designation Length Width Surface Status

Type Description Frequency

Ident Name Type Frequency

Airport Closure Information

Closed Airport Information

Detailed closure information for Palikulo Bay Airfield is being prepared. This will include closure date, reasons, historical significance, and current status.

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Nearby Airports

Santo Pekoa International Airport
SON • NVSS
Luganville, VU
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~3 km away
Walaha Airport
WLH • NVSW
Walaha, VU
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~49 km away
Norsup Airport
NUS • NVSP
Norsup, VU
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~66 km away
Longana Airport
LOD • NVSG
Longana, VU
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~80 km away
Sara Airport
SSR • NVSH
Pentecost Island, VU
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~97 km away
North West Santo Airport
OLJ • NVSZ
Olpoi, VU
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~101 km away
Lonorore Airport
LNE • NVSO
Lonorore, VU
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~107 km away
Craig Cove Airport
CCV • NVSF
Craig Cove, VU
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~111 km away
Santo Pekoa International Airport
SON • NVSS
Luganville, VU
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~3 km away
Gaua Island Airport
ZGU • NVSQ
Gaua Island, VU
Medium Airport
~147 km away
Walaha Airport
WLH • NVSW
Walaha, VU
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~49 km away
Redcliffe Airport
RCL • NVSR
Redcliffe, VU
Small Airport
~63 km away
Norsup Airport
NUS • NVSP
Norsup, VU
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~66 km away
Longana Airport
LOD • NVSG
Longana, VU
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~80 km away
Sara Airport
SSR • NVSH
Pentecost Island, VU
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~97 km away
North West Santo Airport
OLJ • NVSZ
Olpoi, VU
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~101 km away
Maewo-Naone Airport
MWF • NVSN
Maewo Island, VU
Small Airport
~106 km away
Lonorore Airport
LNE • NVSO
Lonorore, VU
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~107 km away
Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.