New Caledonia’s Nouméa La Tontouta and Nouméa Magenta airports have been closed, and flights to the country have been cancelled after 24 hours of rioting in the city and surrounding areas in response to proposed constitutional reforms.
Aircalin and Air Calédonie, local airlines serving the two airports, have cancelled flights in and out of Nouméa following the overnight riots on May 13, which resulted in vehicles and buildings being set on fire and an island-wide curfew being imposed.
La Tontouta, served by airlines including Aircalin, Air Vanuatu, Fiji Airways, Qantas, and Air New Zealand, had some flights operating on May 14, including Aircalin’s departure to Singapore Changi, but subsequent services to Sydney, Auckland, and Nadi were cancelled. Flights at Nouméa Magenta have also been affected, with cancellations by Air Calédonie to various domestic destinations.
The rioting and airport closures in New Caledonia have added to the recent commercial aviation disruptions in the Southwest Pacific region, including the voluntary administration of Air Vanuatu and the suspension of its international flights, leading to challenges for airlines and passengers in the area.
Australia is advising travellers to “exercise a high degree of caution in New Caledonia overall due to protests and travel disruptions.” The DFA does not have a separate travel advisory section for New Caledonia but has updated its section on France relating to New Caledonia.
