Govt ups travel warning to New Caledonia; airport still shut

As civil unrest continues to rock New Caledonia, especially capital city Noumea, where the country’s main airport remains closed, the Australian Government has upgraded its travel advice for the island nation. 

With a state of emergency in place in New Caledonia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) now warns Australians to “exercise a high degree of caution overall due to protests and travel disruptions”. 

In an update today, DFAT has also upped its advice for the Noumea metropolitan area, now warning Aussies to “reconsider your need to travel due to civil unrest, travel disruptions and limited essential services”. 

The government however has not placed the country on its ‘do not travel’ list, the highest warning it gives.

State of play

With the prospect of political demonstrations and protests turning violent “at short notice”, the country has placed a curfew on the Noumea metropolitan area between 6pm and 6am.

“Local authorities have advised to strictly limit movement throughout the day,” DFAT says on its Smartraveller website.

“Australian officials are following these instructions from local authorities. 

“There’s potential for demonstrations in other locations. Avoid demonstrations, public gatherings and roadblocks. Minimise movement, monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities.”

According to DFAT, the Australian Consulate-General in Noumea is temporarily closed. Therefore, Aussies in need of emergency consular assistance are urged to contact the Government’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 (within Australia) or +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas). 

Meanwhile, New Caledonia Tourism (NCT) says that there is also “limited access to shops in Noumea”.

In a statement on Tuesday, NCT recommended tourists “limit their travel at this time… as a precautionary measure”.

It is also “postponing the majority of our educational tours and marketing activities until the situation is resolved”. 

“We remain committed to the safety and well-being of both our visitors and residents, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely, providing updates and assistance as needed,” the tourism office said.

When will the airport reopen?

With essential services impacted, the country’s main gateway, La Tontouta International Airport remains closed, with flights cancelled until at least Friday 17 May. And there’s no indication the airport will be operational by the weekend.

“The airport is closed and commercial flights are cancelled until further notice,” the hub says on its website.

DFAT has also warned travellers to avoid the RT1 road to the airport, which has seen roadblocks erected. 

In an update today, New Caledonia’s national carrier Aircalin said it was cancelling the following flights: 

• Nouméa Sydney 16 and 17 May – flights SB140 QF8692 / SB141 QF 8693
• Nouméa Auckland rotation 17 May – flights SB410 NZ313 TN1602 / SB411 NZ312 TN1601
• Nouméa Brisbane rotation 17 May – flights SB150 QF8694 / SB151 QF8695
• Nouméa Port-Vila rotation 17 May – flights SB230 NF3065 / SB231 NF3064
• Nouméa Singapore rotation 16 May – flights SB740 AF4022 /  SB741 AF4023
• Nouméa Singapore rotation 17 May – flights SB700 AF5330 /  SB701 AF5331

“Our teams, working closely with the authorities, are doing their utmost to reschedule these flights,” the airline states.

“Information will be posted on our website as soon as possible. We regret any inconvenience caused.”

The unrest in Australia’s closest Pacific neighbour, a popular holiday destination among Aussies, relates to proposed changes to electoral conditions, particularly the extension of New Caledonian citizenship.

Record tourism

New Caledonia welcomed a record number of Aussies in 2023 with more than 30,000 travellers visiting the country. And that’s not even the full story as it excludes Aircalin’s recently relaunched direct Melbourne-Noumea flights.

The island nation saw a nearly 20 per cent jump in Australian arrivals last year compared to 2019, smashing pre-pandemic levels.