New Caledonia: All domestic Air Caledonie flights at Ile des Pins Airport canceled until at least Aug. 20 /update 2

Event

Air Caledonie (TY) has canceled all domestic flights via Ile des Pins Airport (ILP) until at least Aug. 20. This comes after residents of the namesake island had agreed to temporarily lift a blockade and allow TY to operate one flight per day via ILP Aug. 17-21. It is unclear whether flights will operate Aug. 21, particularly as protestors had previously planned to resume the blockade from Aug. 22 until at least Aug. 24, when officials are set to begin negotiations with the residents.

Additional delays and cancelations of Air Caledonia flights at ILP are likely beyond Aug. 20 if negotiations fail. Protestors may withdraw the blockade at short notice if talks with airline officials succeed. Residual flight disruptions are likely when regular services resume as the airline works to clear passenger backlogs.

ILP is approximately 53km (32.93 miles) southeast of Goro.

Context

Residents of Ile de Pins have been blocking access roads at ILP since Aug. 4, reportedly causing delays and cancellations of TY flights. The protesters are demanding that Air Caledonie offer fixed plane fares, remove the requirement to declare additional baggage online, and increase flights to and from ILP.

Advice

Confirm flights to and from ILP before leaving for the airport. Consider booking alternative travel arrangements if necessary.