Air Calédonie the flag carrier for the remote French overseas territory of New Caledonia has placed half of its 220 employees on furlough to preserve cash reserves.
Executives have warned that the reserves could be depleted by early April 2026 and the airline is preparing to file for insolvency in local courts. Protests that began in March 2026 in cities including Maré Lifou and Ouvéa have resulted in the blockade of multiple airports and airfields over the planned relocation of the airline base from Magenta Airport in Nouméa to La Tontouta Airport approximately 40 kilometres away.
The decision has raised concerns that the move will disrupt access to healthcare and other critical services for residents spread across the islands. All domestic flights have been cancelled since the start of March 2026 with operations unable to resume until a mutually satisfactory agreement is reached between the parties involved.
