A fire, blockades, and arrests: The tiny South Pacific airport at the centre of a bitter battle over fares

A recent spate of blockades in September and October has resurfaced this week in New Caledonia with Lifou Island's small airport being once again paralysed by a group of disgruntled users who are protesting against what they perceive as the excessive cost of domestic plane tickets. This comes despite negotiations and consultations that involved both domestic airline Air Calédonie, the angry consumers, the local government and even several local high chiefs. At this time, this caused a massive cancellation of flights, affecting hundreds of passengers. The crisis peaked when during the blockade, one Air Calédonie agency building at the small airport terminal of Lifou was severely damaged by a nightly fire on October 4. Public prosecutor Yves Dupas said at the time that several burnt tyres were found amidst the airline's building charred remains and that on that basis, investigations seem to point to a criminal motive. Four individuals have since been arrested and have already appeared before a local criminal court. One of them is facing aggravated arson charges and has been remanded in custody pending an expected verdict on November 28. Public prosecution has required sentences ranging from six months suspended jail to three years. While the earlier one-month blockades had targeted three domestic airports of Lifou, Maré (both in Loyalty Islands group) and the Isle of Pines (South of Nouméa), this time, it was only the airport of Lifou that was affected, local media report.<br/>