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All Noumea flights grounded due to strikes & civil unrest; NCT tells Aussies they’re safe

Industrial action and unrest in New Caledonia have halted all flights in and out of capital city Noumea until at least 5pm today (local time). 

Industrial action and unrest in New Caledonia have halted all flights in and out of capital city Noumea until at least 5pm today (local time). 

With some protests in Noumea reportedly turning violent, the country’s main gateway, Tontouta International Airport has been closed due to blockades. 

As such, national carrier Aircalin has cancelled flights SB140/141 (QF8692/8693) between Noumea and Sydney as well as Auckland, Nadi, Papeete and Singapore flights on 14 May. It has also suspended its Tokyo service on 15 May.

“Rescheduling information will be posted on our website as soon as we have confirmation that the airport has reopened,” an Aircalin statement sent to Karryon said. 

Tontouta International Airport (Image Mark Harada)
Noumea’s Tontouta International Airport (Image Mark Harada)

“Affected passengers will be notified and are encouraged to keep up to date by visiting our website – www.aircalin.com.au. We regret any inconvenience caused to our passengers by the airport closure.”

Internally, Aircalin has also suspended flights to/from popular tourist islands Lifou and Ile des Pins, the New Zealand Herald reports.

In a statement, Aircalin said, “Due to the announced blockage of Moué airport, all flights to and from Isle of Pines scheduled on Tuesday, May 14, are cancelled”, with affected passengers notified of the changes. 

“The airline remains attentive to the evolution of the situation and strives to communicate the consequences of this beyond the event as soon as it is possible.”

Calm restored?

Karry On - Aircalin Sale

The unrest in Australia’s closest Pacific neighbour, a popular holiday destination among Aussies, relates to proposed changes to electoral conditions, particularly the extension of New Caledonian citizenship.

According to New Caledonia Tourism, the tension has resulted in “temporary disruptions to certain transport and road links, primarily affecting services to secondary islands like Lifou and Île des Pins, with airports and ports temporarily blocked”. 

NCT said in a statement that unrest “escalated with acts of vandalism targeting shops and roundabouts in Noumea”.

“However, we want to emphasise that the local authorities are actively working to maintain order, deploying significant police presence and implementing a curfew from 6pm to 6am until Wednesday, May 15,” it stated.

“While some services and shops remain closed, it’s important to note that tourist areas have largely been unaffected by these incidents. Calm has been restored across the country this morning, with no direct impact on hotels.

“At NCT, we deeply regret any inconvenience caused by this situation and are collaborating closely with local partners to explore alternative transport solutions for stranded travellers.”

KARRYON-New-Caledonia-Noumea
Noumea beaches

The tourism office however recommends tourists “limit their travel at this time… as a precautionary measure”.

It is also “postponing the majority of our educational tours and marketing activities until the situation is resolved”. 

“We remain committed to the safety and well-being of both our visitors and residents, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely, providing updates and assistance as needed,” NCT said.

In an update yesterday on New Caledonia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) warned Australians that “Political demonstrations and protests are occurring and may turn violent at short notice”. 

“Essential services, including air and road transport, may be impacted. Avoid demonstrations, public gatherings and roadblocks,” it added.

However, encouragingly, it did not change its overall travel advice level for the country, telling Aussies to “Exercise normal safety precautions in New Caledonia”.

According to the NZ Herald, the country had been expecting widespread demonstrations from pro-independence supporters ahead of today’s scheduled vote on the Constitutional Amendment Bill.

New Caledonia welcomed a record number of Aussies in 2023 with more than 30,000 travellers visiting the country. And that’s not even the full story as it excludes Aircalin’s recently relaunched direct Melbourne-Noumea flights.