Noumea: New Caledonia’s capital Noumea’s international airport will remain closed to commercial flights until June 2, its operator said on Sunday, as ministers said the situation in France’s Pacific region was “extremely difficult”.
Seven people have been killed in New Caledonia since riots erupted on May 13 over planned electoral reforms.
The New Caledonia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which operates the airport, said it would be closed to commercial flights until June 2.
The closure will come almost three weeks after flights were suspended on May 15 following bloody riots in France’s Pacific region.
French President Emmanuel Macron flew to the Pacific archipelago on Thursday in an emergency bid to end the crisis, and the situation has gradually eased over the past few days.
However, French Foreign Minister Marie Guevenoux said in a statement late Saturday that it was “very difficult” for islanders, especially in Grand Noumea.
The first evacuation flights for French tourists stranded in New Caledonia began on Saturday, the archipelago’s high commission said.
The tourists left Noumea’s Magenta Airfield on Saturday on a military plane bound for Australia and New Zealand.
They then had to take a commercial flight to mainland France.
French nationals will also be flown to Polynesia on a flight provided by French forces on Sunday.
Australia and New Zealand began repatriating their citizens on Tuesday.
Noumea airport to stay closed to commercial flights until June 2
