Nouméa’s Magenta Airport to Close in Early March 2026

By Andrew Curran.

New Caledonia’s government says its controversial decision to shift domestic flights from Nouméa’s Magenta Airport (GEA) to La Tontouta Airport (NOU) will happen by March 2, 2026.

It is the first firm timeline for the move that has resulted in street protests and calls for a formal inquiry.

New Caledonia’s President, Alcide Ponga, told local journalists at a November 25, 2025, media conference that the decision to move the flights and close Magenta may be unpopular but was necessary.

“If we don't do it, we're sure to kill Aircal and therefore the connectivity between the islands,” he said. “If we lose Aircal, I can assure you it will be very difficult, economically speaking, for another company to come in and do this job."

Air Calédonie, the state-owned domestic airline known locally as Aircal, is based at Magenta Airport. It has haemorrhaged money in recent years. According to the government, shifting its operations to La Tontouta, Noumea’s international airport and home to state-owned international carrier, Aircalin, would generate around XPF500 million (USD4.8 million) in annual savings for Air Calédonie.

The government says this will save the domestic operator from bankruptcy. 

Air Calédonie received XPF1.3 billion (USD13 million) in bail out funding from the government in 2024 and another XPF500 million this year. 

But New Caledonia’s government is experiencing record debt levels and declining tax revenues. Ponga, who assumed the presidency earlier this year, says the treasury’s coffers have now run dry.

“In 2026, I don't think we'll be able to find that amount of money for the company again,” he said.

Magenta Airport closure unpopular among some locals

Despite this, the proposal to close Magenta Airport has created controversy in New Caledonia, frequently among residents and local interest groups based on islands away from the New Caledonia mainland.

These are the people who rely on Air Calédonie for access to Nouméa. Many of them favour keeping Magenta Airport open because it is far more convenient to the capital than the more distant La Tontouta.

Following the mooting of the airport closure plan, there have been protest marches in the capital and, more recently, local opposition politicians have called for a formal inquiry to validate the government's financial figures they are using to justify the move.

Regardless, Ponga says Magenta will close.

In addition to saving Air Calédonie money, the closure will save the government up to XPF2 billion (XPF19 million) it would otherwise have to pay to maintain and upgrade infrastructure at Magenta Airport.

Aside from Air Calédonie, the privately-owned domestic carrier, Air Oceania, is based at Magenta. It will also shift to La Tontouta Airport.

Photo: AI-Generated.