Loyalty Islands airport blockades enter third month

By Andrew Curran.

The blockade of airports around New Caledonia’s Loyalty Islands is now entering its third month and shows no sign of ending.

Protesters began blocking scheduled aircraft movements at Maré (MEE), Lifou (LIF), and Ouvéa (UVE) Airports in early March, effectively shutting down Air Calédonie operations and pushing the carrier into receivership last month.

Nouméa’s Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes reports that protesters have no plans to lift the blockades. Some local politicians warn that unless the situation changes, the supervising court may move to liquidate Air Calédonie, which would have a severe impact on connectivity to and from the Loyalty Islands.

“Air transport is not a luxury, but an essential link in the life of our country,” said Charles Washetine, head of the Palika Îles group, in an open letter published last week.

The Palika Îles group is a political faction representing the interests of the Loyalty Islands Province.

“Maintaining the connection between our communities is not an option; it is a duty to the citizens of New Caledonia,” he added.

Air Calédonie liquidation a line ball call

Under normal operations, Air Calédonie connects Maré, Lifou and Ouvéa with Nouméa. Protesters are opposing a government decision to shift the airline’s operations from Nouméa Magenta Airport (GEA) to Nouméa La Tontouta Airport (NOU) and are preventing aircraft from taking off and landing.

A similar blockade at Île des Pins (ILP) Airport ended last month, allowing Air Calédonie services to resume. However, the Loyalty Islands remain effectively cut off.

Nouméa’s Commercial Court has granted Air Calédonie six months to stabilise its finances, although immediate liquidation was a very real option. The court-appointed receiver was reportedly close to taking that step.

ADANC (Agence pour la desserte aérienne de la Nouvelle-Calédonie), the public body responsible for ensuring sustainable air services with New Caledonia, has also warned that the court may not wait the full six months before ordering liquidation.

Warnings New Caledonia may lose domestic air links

Washetine said the consequences for residents would be severe if the airline were to collapse, potentially stopping  domestic air services indefinitely.

“The sick, pregnant women, as well as students and schoolchildren, are the first victims,” he said.

Some provincial politicians have suggested a "temporary” return to Magenta Airport to resolve the dispute. However, New Caledonia President Alcide Ponga has rejected that option, citing the cost of upgrading infrastructure at the airport.

He said it would cost between XPF2 billion and XPF2.5 billion (USD19.6 - 24.5 million) to bring Magenta Airport up to standard, while operating from La Tontouta “saves” Air Calédonie around XPF500 million (USD4.9 million) annually.

Alternative options for Air Calédonie

Meanwhile, one proposed restructuring plan circulating in Nouméa suggests Air Calédonie could pivot towards short-haul international routes, similar to its current Nouméa–Port Vila (VLI) service.

“We need a vision that allows us to attract a non-resident clientele, in particular regional tourists,” one local aviation industry figure told the newspaper. Under this scenario, New Caledonia’s other state-owned airline, Aircalin, would continue to focus on Australian and long-haul markets.

However, such a shift could further isolate many of the territory’s domestic airports.

Washetine said political leaders must “move beyond electoral posturing and focus on what truly matters: restoring a reliable and accessible (domestic) transport service.”

Photo: AI-Generated.

Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com