Lonorore Airport

Plane approaching the old Lonorore airstrip, prior to upgrading, 2006

Custom dancing at the opening ceremony of the upgraded Lonorore Airport, July 2009

Lonorore Airport (IATA: LNE, ICAO: NVSO) or Lonoror (possibly from Ske lon or "in the fence") is an airport on south-western Pentecost Island, Vanuatu.

Lonorore began as a grass airstrip, capable of accommodating 20-seater Twin Otter aircraft in good conditions, although it was frequently unusable due to waterlogging in wet weather. The airport is built in the middle of an old coconut plantation. The airport was upgraded in 2008-2009 with a longer, tarmacked runway capable of taking ATR aircraft and operating in most weather conditions, and a new terminal building.

Lonorore is used for Air Vanuatu domestic flights to Port Vila and Luganville, sometimes via Ambae. Schedules change regularly but there are typically flights on three or four days of the week. Between April and June the airport caters for significant numbers of day trippers from Port Vila who come to watch the weekly land-diving ceremonies which take place on a small hill overlooking the airport.

Near the airport is a small post office which handles all of southern Pentecost's mail. On flight days, women often set up markets near the airport, selling homegrown vegetables and homecooked food.

Airlines and destinations

• Air Vanuatu (Longana, Port Vila, Sara)

Coordinates: 15°51′53″S 168°10′18″E / 15.86472°S 168.17167°E / -15.86472; 168.17167