Aircalin launches Singapore flights; eyes Asia opportunities

New Caledonian carrier Aircalin is “working on” opportunities to grow its Asia network, following the launch of direct flights between Singapore and Noumea. Airline chief Didier Tappero, speaking at a launch event at Singapore’s Changi Airport on 2 July, says the airline will evaluate network requirements and did not rule out future network growth in the region. The carrier on 1 July began flying to Singapore from its Noumea hub, with twice-weekly flights operated by its Airbus A330neos, which it took delivery of in 2019. It will add an additional weekly flight from September. Tappero hopes to ramp up frequencies to four times weekly “as soon as possible”. Singapore is the airline’s second point in its Asian network, after Tokyo. The airline also previously served Osaka and Seoul. Tappero adds that the Singapore route allows it to feed traffic with its partner Air France for flights to France and Europe. As the French territory’s home carrier, Tappero says Aircalin’s “goal is really to promote New Caledonia”. On future growth, Tappero says: “It will have to be a natural way of expansion for Aircalin.” “We have done shuttle flights to Paris before, and it was quite a success, and we have the appropriate aircraft to do so now,” says Tappero, who was referring to its new A330neo fleet. He also hints at a “commercial agreement” signing with Singapore Airlines, but did not elaborate further. <br/>