Air Oceania to boost Maré and Ouvéa flights, axes Lifou

By Andrew Curran.

Air Oceania is increasing flights to Maré and Ouvéa and axing its daily Lifou service, with the New Caledonian Government approving a revised schedule for the airline through February 2027.

As reported by Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes, the airline, formerly known as Air Loyauté, will increase its focus on the two Loyalty Islands from October 1 as Air Calédonie continues to face restrictions on its operations to Maré (MEE) and Ouvéa (UVE) amid an ongoing dispute over its move from Magenta Airport (GEA) in Nouméa to La Tontouta (NOU).

Air Oceania is the sole operator to Maré as protesters continue to block Air Calédonie flights

Air Oceania has been operating to Maré and Ouvéa since July using its sole aircraft, a nine-seat Tecnam P2012 Traveller. Its existing program provides a weekday rotation to each island from Magenta, with the new schedule allowing an additional daily flight to either Maré or Ouvéa when needed.

The additional capacity has been created by ending Air Oceania’s Lifou (LIF) service, which had operated daily since May. The decision follows the resumption of Air Calédonie flights to Lifou in June after protesters ended their blockade of the airport.

State-owned Air Calédonie has not operated to Maré since March 2, when, following government instructions, it transferred its domestic operations to La Tontouta. The move has been opposed by customary groups, which subsequently restricted access to several Loyalty Island airports.

Air Calédonie flights to Ouvéa have resumed, but remain limited

At Ouvéa, Air Calédonie flights resumed on September 10 following an agreement between the government and the Banutr customary leadership, which controls part of the land around the airport. However, the decision remains contested by the island’s coordination committee and several customary authorities.

Air Calédonie has subsequently operated only limited services to Ouvéa. The government has negotiated one flight per week to meet the island’s economic, social and medical needs, while discussions continue over a full resumption of services.

New Caledonian Government President Milakulo Tukumuli is expected to travel to Ouvéa today, October 1, on a scheduled Air Calédonie flight as part of efforts to negotiate the conditions for a broader return of the airline to the island’s airport.

Meanwhile, Air Oceania’s new schedule will remain in place until February 28, 2027. The airline’s P2102 Traveller provides an alternative for passengers travelling between the Loyalty Islands and Nouméa while the wider dispute over Air Calédonie remains unresolved.

The government is also developing a broader mobility and transport plan covering air and sea services, fares and territorial connectivity, which is expected to be presented to Congress in the coming months.

Photo: Air Oceania.
Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com