Summary

  • Military aircraft from Australia, France, and New Zealand repatriate stranded tourists in New Caledonia amidst widespread unrest.
  • Nouméa International Airport closed for protection and limited access, with barricades and burnt-out vehicles causing chaos on the way to the airport and restricted access.
  • New Zealand and Australia are preparing for deployment to repatriate tourists operating from Nouméa Magenta Aircess.

Military aircraft from Australia, France, and New Zealand have been busy repatriating stranded tourists in New Caledonia home after widespread riots broke out across Nouméa following political tension. Violence broke out in the nation’s capital following a debate from Paris that proposed constitutional changes that favored France’s continued governance of the South Pacific territory.

Nouméa International Airport, La Tontouta (NOU), was barricaded for protection and to limit access. At the same time, the nearly hour-long journey between Nouméa and the airport was littered with barricades, burnt-out vehicles, and rioters, which led to the airport being closed by French authorities and tourists stranded.

In recent days, the Royal New Zealand Defence Force and Royal Australian Defence Force have prepared for deployment to New Caledonia while awaiting authority from the French government to operate to Nouméa to repatriate stranded tourists home. Due to the limited access to La Tontouta, approval was given to operate from Nouméa Magenta Airport (GEA), a domestic airport two miles from the city center.

Returning travelers home

New Zealand’s Royal Defence Force operated its first repatriation flight on Tuesday evening, bringing 50 stranded travelers home onboard its Hercules C-130H. The New Zealand Government is now working with French authorities to transport the remaining 200 affected homes in one go, a request that would require a more significant international airport, La Tontouta, to open and permit the operation of larger commercial aircraft. The Australian government has also operated a Hercules to New Caledonia, transporting affected Australians to Brisbane, the closest international port.

French authorities are set to reassess the opening of La Tontouta on Thursday. However, it remains unclear if this would see commercial services resume. Aircalin, the flag carrier of New Caledonia, has suspended its international operations, with its offices remaining closed. According to the carrier’s website, the airline has been permitted to operate one repatriation flight from Nadi (NAN), Fiji, to New Caledonia on May 22nd to repatriate stranded residents home. However, data from Flightradar24 shows this flight was canceled.

More flights expected

France’s High Commission in New Caledonia has advised that it expects many more repatriation flights to take place in the coming days to transport 500 stranded French and other foreign tourists. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, is expected to touch down in the Pacific tomorrow in a bid to cool tensions between the indigenous Kanak and French people.

Related

Violent Protests Lead To 2 New Caledonia Airport Closures

La Tontouta has had bollards installed at the airport entrance.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *