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Vanuatu Meteorological Services (Meteorological Charges) Regulations

Commencement: 29 December 1989

VANUATU METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES
(METEOROLOGICAL CHARGES) REGULATIONS

Order 46 of 1989
Order 7 of 1991

PART 1 – PRELIMINARY

1. Interpretation
In these Regulations unless the context otherwise requires:

“Basic Aviation Support Services” means the preparation and transmission of routine and special weather observations, terminal aerodrome forecasts and warnings for airports within Vanuatu;

“Director” means the Director of Meteorological Services as defined by section 3 of the Meteorology Act [Cap. 204];

“duly authorized officer” means an officer authorized by the Director to collect payment for charges for meteorological services;

“Enhanced Aviation Support Services” means the preparation and/or provision, on request, of specific meteorological forecasts and information, related to international destinations and en-route conditions;

“International Airport” means Bauerfield Airport at Porrt Vila, Pekoa Airport at Luganville or White Grass Airport at Lenakel;

“Meteorological Charges” means those charges being levied in respect of Meteorological Services which include the taking and transmitting of weather observations, the provision of forecasts and warnings and any other information required by the aviation industry.

PART 2 – INTERNATIONAL METEOROLOGICALCHARGES

2. International meteorological charges
(1) Unless otherwise exempted under these Regulations, aircraft engaged in international flights to and from the Republic of Vanuatu shall incur, in respect of each landing at an International Airport, the following charges specified below:

(2) Unless otherwise exempted under this Order, helicopters engaged in international flights to and from the Republic of Vanuatu, shall incur, in respect of each landing at an International Airport, 25 per cent of the meteorological charge specified in subregulation (1) of this regulation.

(3) The meteorological charges payable shall be calculated on the basis of the maximum all-up weight of the aircraft as specified in its certificate of airworthiness.

3. Payment of charges
(1) Subject to regulation 6 the charges for meteorological services specified in regulation 2 shall become due immediately on the arrival of an aircraft at an International Airport. These charges shall be paid to the Director or his duly authorized officer.

(2) By prior arrangement with the Director in writing, the charges specified in regulation 2 may, where appropriate be paid monthly to the duly authorized officer.

(3) Where the charges are not paid by the operator within 30 days of the due date, the Government shall recover the amount due as a civil debt.

PART 3 – DOMESTIC METEOROLOGICAL CHARGES

4. Domestic meteorological charges
(1) The meteorological charges payable in respect of aircraft engaged in domestic flights within the Republic of Vanuatu shall be calculated on the basis of the quantity of fuel purchased for use in such aircraft.

(2) Unless otherwise exempted under these Regulation, the charges shall be as specified below:

Types of fuel Charges per litre

Aviation Turbine Fuel (AVTUR) VT 0.4

Aviation Gasoline (AVGAS) VT 0.7

(3) Unless otherwise exempted under these Regulations, the meteorological charges payable in respect of helicopters engaged in domestic flights within the Republic of Vanuatu shall be 25 per cent of the charge specified in subregulation (2) of this regulation.

5. Payment of charges
(1) Subject to regulation 6, the meteorological charges specified in regulation 4 shall be paid monthly to the duly authorised officer. The operator shall calculate the charge and submit that calculation, supported by copies of fuel invoices for the month in question, with payment.

(2) Where the charge is not paid by the operator within 30 days of the due date, the Government shall recover the amount due as a civil debt.

PART 4 – EXEMPTIONS

6. Exemptions
(1) The following aircraft shall not incur the charges specified in these Regulations:

State aircraft (aircraft of military, customs or police services);
Aircraft being used solely for diplomatic purposes;
Aircraft engaged in test or training flights;
Aircraft engaged in flights of a humanitarian nature, including search and rescue flights; and
Aircraft obliged to land in an emergency.

(2) The charges specified in regulation 4 shall not apply in respect of fuel purchased for use in aircraft which cannot be so used, subject to the Minister being satisfied as to the bona fides of any claim for exemption.

PART 5 – GENERAL PROVISIONS

7. Application
Part 2 of these Regulations shall apply to aircraft engaged in flights within the Republic of Vanuatu other than those aircraft on the Vanuatu Register of civil aircraft unless the Minister determines that Part 3 shall apply.

Table of Amendments

1 Substituted by Order 7 of 1991
2(1) Substituted by Order 7 of 1991
3(1) Amended by Order 7 of 1991