News
Aircalin suspends flights, considers merger with domestic airline
July 12th 2024
Aircalin, flag carrier of New Caledonia, will reduce its international network in second half 2024 after weeks of civil unrest in the South Pacific island nation have blown up forward cash flow and shredded passenger demand. Read More » Security in the island nation is not assured forcing the carrier to suspend Noumea to Tokyo from September, immediately cancel its schedule to Melbourne and accelerate Noumea to Paris via Bangkok from December 2024, pending authorizations. Aircalin’s monthly turnover, normally an averaged US$18.3 million, is now $8.1 million, AirCalin CEO, Georges Selefen, said. Full-year passenger numbers are forecast to plunge from 455,000 in the previous year to 225,000 air travellers this year. Aircalin has cut back the hours of 35%-40% of its 500 staff and frozen all investment. Repayment of debt, in particular its government guaranteed loan, has been rescheduled to 2025 and up to 2028. Selefan is in discussions with Air Loyauté about a merger of New Caledonia’s air services.
