A BLOCKADE of local airfields has forced New Calédonia’s domestic airline, Air Calédonie, to place part of its workforce on short-time work as a protest by customary groups enters its third week.
The airline, a vital link for the archipelago, has been completely paralysed since March 2.
The disruption is caused by customary people blockading airfields in protest against the planned relocation of Air Calédonie’s operations from the Magenta Airport in Nouméa to La Tontouta Airport, approximately 40 kilometres away.
With flights grounded and no revenue coming in, management announced on Wednesday that it has placed around 110 of its 220 employees on reduced hours in an attempt to preserve cash flow.
“The decision was taken to preserve the cash flow. It will be exhausted at the beginning of April,” a company spokesperson told AFP, warning that without a swift resolution, the airline will have to refer the matter to the commercial court to initiate insolvency proceedings within a fortnight.
The conflict stems from a government decision to consolidate Air Calédonie’s operations at La Tontouta. The company, already weakened by the COVID-19 health crisis and the deadly civil unrest in 2024, argues the move is essential to save 500 million francs per year. However, island users, who depend heavily on the airline, vehemently oppose the plan, citing a doubling of travel times to the remote airport and significant fare hikes.
Last-ditch negotiations held on Thursday between the local government and customary representatives on the Isle of Pines ended in deadlock. “It’s still the status quo. Everyone remains in their positions,” said Rolland Nyikeine, a customary senator involved in the blockade, though he hinted a counterproposal was being drafted.
The Union of Kanak and Exploited Workers (USTKE), the majority union at Air Calédonie, condemned the situation, stating it “regrets that the employees are being held hostage in a dispute between the users of the islands and the local government.”
Source: Les Nouvelles Caledoniennes