Air Calédonie, a crucial airline serving New Caledonia, a French territory in the South Pacific, has declared bankruptcy due to disruptions caused by a protest movement. The airline faced backlash from customers in the outer islands of the territory, leading to a halt in operations. The protest stemmed from the decision to relocate Air Calédonie’s operations from the Nouméa Magenta airport to the La Tontouta base, over 50km away from the city.
The financial strain on Air Calédonie intensified as the protest blocked airfields, resulting in estimated daily losses of around £73,000. This financial crisis forced the company to place half of its workforce on temporary employment with reduced pay. New Caledonia President, Alcide Ponga, expressed concerns over the situation, implying a potential threat to the airline’s survival.
Despite unsuccessful negotiations with the protest leaders and French State representatives, a Commerce Tribunal in New Caledonia initiated a supervised recovery process for Air Calédonie. The tribunal overseeing the airline’s affairs indicated the possibility of implementing a salvage plan to revive the company. Public Prosecutor Yves Dupas emphasized that this could be Air Calédonie’s final opportunity for survival, with a proposed plan to freeze debts and sustain operations for a six-month period. The ultimate goal is to ensure the company’s financial stability and pave the way for long-term recovery.
