Air Calédonie flights downed over COVID health pass

Air Calédonie has suspended all commercial scheduled flights until November 7, 2021, as ordered by a government decree in the wake of extended lockdown measures and airport closures in protests over the introduction of a health pass in the French collectivity of New Caledonia. In a statement on its website, the airline said it was operating a restricted flight programme according to authorisations granted. Special rotations would be operated on October 25, 26, and 27 between Nouméa Magenta and Ouvéa; and Nouméa and Île des Pins. All its sales offices were currently closed, but sales teams could be reached telephonically during limited office hours on weekdays, while online reservations remained open. The airline on October 18 had initially cancelled its flights until the end of October after Lifou airport was closed by the local authority in protest against the introduction of a compulsory health pass requirement for domestic flights. Already deployed in France, since October 11 the health pass is also required in New Caledonia to allow for a gradual return to normal life while minimising the risks of spreading the disease, according to a government of New Caledonia statement. <br/>