Government restarts Loyalty Islands airport blockade talks

By Andrew Curran.

The President of the Government of New Caledonia has flown to the Loyalty Islands in a bid to end long-running airport blockades. Milakulo Tukumuli flew to Lifou Island on August 6 to meet traditional leaders to restart negotiations around the blockades that have prevented Air Calédonie from using Ouvéa (UVE) and Maré (MEE) airports since early March.

A decision by New Caledonia's Nouméa-based government to shift Air Calédonie's Nouméa hub from Magenta Airport (GEA) to La Tontouta Airport (NOU) earlier this year raised the ire of some Loyalty Islanders, particularly those opposed to the Nouméa-based administration.

They subsequently blockaded Ouvéa, Maré, Lifou (LIF) and Île des Pins (ILP) airports in a bid to force the government to reverse the decision. So far, the government has refused to do so, although Lifou and Île des Pins airports have since reopened to Air Calédonie flights.

But negotiations to reopen the remaining airports have failed. Tukumuli's visit came within days of his election as New Caledonia's new President. He replaced Alcide Ponga, who had led the earlier, unsuccessful talks.

Ponga's departure was not related to the blockades. Rather, Tukumuli's election reflects the new balance of power within the New Caledonian Government following elections in late June.

"This first visit demonstrates the president's willingness and that of the 19th Government to reconnect the threads of dialogue in order to find a solution to this issue as soon as possible," an August 7 New Caledonia Government Facebook post reads.

The meeting involved the Drehu Customary Coordination Committee, the Iaai Customary Coordination Committee and the Nengoné Collective.

The Drehu Customary Coordination Committee is an organisation based on Lifou. The Iaai Customary Coordination Committee represents the Iaai customary area of Ouvéa, while the Nengoné Collective is associated with Maré Island. They are grassroots organisations that advocate on behalf of local residents and can, as the airport blockades demonstrate, adopt activist positions.

The leaders of these groups, the so-called traditional or customary leaders, have frequently said the Nouméa-based government neglects the country's outer islands. Their relationship with Ponga was strained, particularly over the decision to shift Air Calédonie flights to La Tontouta Airport.

Magenta Airport is greatly preferred by many passengers because of its proximity to central Nouméa. However, the government said Magenta requires significant upgrades to remain operational and that the financially struggling Air Calédonie would benefit from relocating to La Tontouta, home to Aircalin and other international operators.

"I am here to tell the truth, whether you like it or not," Tukumuli told the meeting, according to Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes. Given the ongoing absence of Air Calédonie flights to their islands, representatives from Ouvéa and Maré attended via video link.

The traditional leaders are said to be maintaining their original demand that Air Calédonie return to Magenta Airport. That appears unlikely to happen, although Air Océania continues to operate from Magenta, including flights to Ouvéa and Maré.

Air Océania's continued operations from Magenta undermine the government's claim that it is necessary to close the airport. Protesters temporarily lift their blockades to allow Air Océania to operate flights to and from the affected airports.

Tukumuli's comments at the meeting, including his assertion that everyone will need to compromise, suggest the government is unlikely to reverse its position on Magenta. However, he and the traditional leaders agreed to develop a Loyalty Islands-focused transport plan that could address many of the islanders' concerns.

"Everyone will have to make an effort," Tukumuli said.

Photo: Government of New Caledonia.
Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com