Noumea Airport flights likely to resume next week; France declares state of emergency in New Caledonia
Stranded Aussies in New Caledonia have been given an update about flights off the island nation, which has descended into chaos with deadly protests. See when flights will resume.
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Australians stranded in rioting New Caledonia will continue to be stuck for several more days with the Noumea Airport closed over the weekend.
A Qantas spokesperson said the airline was unable to operate schedule services this weekend “due to continuing civil unrest in New Caledonia and with Noumea’s Airport closed until at least Tuesday”.
“We are in the process of adding flights next week and are working to rebook all impacted customers to get everyone to their destinations as quickly as possible,” Qantas said.
“We will continue to contact impacted customers directly with a range of options, including a refund.”
On Friday, an “unofficial translation” of a French press release by the Government of New Caledonia was posted to the Facebook account of the Australian Government in New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna, making clear that a curfew bans all travel on public roads or to public places between 6pm and 6am, with violation of the prohibition punishable by six months imprisonment and a fine of $12,200.
Accompanying the post are “key points” stipulating “there is sufficient food supply for 2 months however there is difficulty in restocking shops” and “flights will be organised as soon as roads are free. Please be patient so repatriation can take place in safe conditions.”
It also said “Be aware of misinformation”.
Brisbane man Matt Sutton, who now lives in Vancouver, posted a comment: “What are you actually doing to help citizens in Noumea? Australian response seems lazy and disorganized… do more than translate documents!”
Stranded Australians have lashed out at the government for its lack of updates as the consulate in Noumea closes its doors.
Many have turned to the Australian Consulate Facebook page, L’Australie en Nouvelle-Calédonie et Wallis et Futuna, for answers only to learn it is closed due to the dangerous situation and they need to contact the Australian Government’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre.
Trapped Aussies were particularly incensed when the consulate shared a post on Wednesday in Celebration of International Day of Families complete with a string of emojis.
Australians are being told to cancel their travel plans to the normally idyllic holiday destination, a three-hour flight east of Sydney, or to shelter in place if they are already in Noumea.
Hundreds of Australians will be stuck in New Caledonia for a few more days following the announcement the airport will be closed over the weekend.
AUSSIES ANGER AT ‘LACK OF CLARITY’
Sydney local Yasmin Khan said: “After five days of instability and misinformation, we would expect a stronger and more coordinated response from the Australian Government, New Caledonia Consulate, and local airlines in the provision of clear information and some increased effort to return Australians home.
“There is a complete lack of communication and clarity as to the situation.”
Ms Khan also said she had a less than satisfactory interaction when she called the emergency line.
“The consulate clearly have no grasp of the situation and have taken no interest at all in responding to Australian Nationals. I have not received a single communication in response to my Facebook enquiries.
“We are just seeking clarity on when we are likely to return home from the airlines – the information has been grossly contradictory – and some show of interest by our government in returning us home.”
Melbourne’s Nigel So was on a business trip to Noumea when he got caught up in the instability.
The technical solar consultant is worried the food will run out as his flight has been repeatedly delayed.
“Most restaurants are closed, only few open with limited options, all supermarkets are literally empty, so I am struggling to get food for the evenings,” Mr So said.
“The next flight they can book me out is May 22, but I don’t know we can last that long with the food shortage.
“Luckily our hotel still provides a cold breakfast. We try to eat more at breakfast and then try to find restaurants that still serve lunch – with limited menus.
“Then we go into curfew at 6pm and wait it out.”
While Mr So is fortunate his company is covering his expenses, he has met numerous Australians who have been shocked to discover their travel insurance policies will not pay up.
“They don’t cover war or riots/rebellion,” Mr So said.
“So for myself it is okay since my company pays, but I met a few Australians and New Zealanders who are out on their own.”
A department of foreign affairs and trade spokesperson said Australians should reconsider their need to travel to Noumea and exercise a high degree of caution throughout New Caledonia.
Australian citizens and permanent residents in New Caledonia can register their details with DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) at DFAT’s crisis registration portal.
Australian officials, including those in Nouméa, are closely monitoring the situation in New Caledonia.
Australians needing emergency consular assistance should contact the Australian government’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 (within Australia) or +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas).
WHAT IS HAPPENING TO FLIGHTS
Qantas confirmed that they were doing all they could to return Australians home.
“Due to the unrest in New Caledonia and the closure of Noumea’s airport, Qantas has cancelled one return service from Sydney this week,” a spokesperson said.
“To make sure we’re getting everyone home, we’ve up gauged our return flight from Sydney to Noumea on Saturday from a Boeing 737 to an Airbus A330.
“We’re continuing to monitor the situation and if flights are cancelled we’ll contact customers directly, offer them a refund if they no longer wish to travel and book them onto the next flight if they still want to go.
Qantas codeshares flights with Aircalin to Noumea and said flights were cancelled with La Tontouta Airport closed, as well as the road to the airport.
Anyone who has booked flights until the end of May can contact the national carrier to arrange a cancellation or reschedule.
Australian tourist Nicole Hatten and her family are trapped in Noumea.
“It was a little bit scary and a bit confronting to know that this is going on,” she told 7News.
Max Winchester, of Woodend in Victoria, said he and is wife were denied the ability to return to Australia.
“We called DFAT twice and their response was basically, we’re on our own,” he told 3AW.
Mr Winchester said they have been forced to stay in a resort for their safety.
“We were in the city walking around on Tuesday morning and everything was fine. We went to lunch, came back from lunch, and everything turned,” he said.
“Looting started, shops on fire, supermarkets looted, so there’s now people without food including tourists.”
PENNY WONG CALLS FOR ‘CALM’ IN NEW CALEDONIA
Foreign Minister Penny Wong spoke about the situation in the Senate.
“I again repeat, take this opportunity to repeat Australia’s call for calm,” she said.
“We respect and support the referendum process under the Noumea Accord and the discussions underway between all parties.”
The Australian government-run Smart Traveller warning read: “We’ve increased the level of advice for New Caledonia and now advise exercise a high degree of caution overall due to protests and travel disruptions.”
“Political demonstrations and protests are occurring and may turn violent at short notice.”
French President Emmanuel Macron has deployed an additional 500 officers to back up the 1800 already in New Caledonia who are struggling to regain order as they grapple with the aftermath of days of riots which have left four dead, 300 injured and 130 under arrest.
The state of emergency went into effect at 4am AEST on Thursday.
French government spokeswoman Prisca Thevenot said the emergency powers would allow authorities to take actions including placing individuals under house arrest.
“The priority is to restore order, calm, serenity,” Ms Thevenot said.
The decision was made following a two-hour security meeting on Wednesday between Mr Macron and his top ministers.
New Caledonia High Commissioner Louis Le Franc has warned the situation could escalate.
“The situation is not serious, it is very serious,” Mr Le Franc said.
“We have entered a dangerous spiral, a deadly spiral.”
A police officer was among the dead along with three indigenous Kanak people.
Protesters are rioting over constitutional reforms that will allow people who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years to vote.
The move has angered the indigenous population of the island territory, who feel their voice will now be diluted.
In addition to the police and protesting Kanaks, New Caledonia’s other residents have also donned masks and taken to the streets to defend their families and properties.
Noumea is one of several French territories spanning the globe from the Caribbean and Indian Ocean to the Pacific that remain part of France in the post-colonial era.
There have been reports of several exchanges of fire between civil defence groups, and rioters and streets in the capital were pocked with the shells of burnt-out cars and buildings.
“Numerous arsons and pillaging of shops, infrastructure and public buildings — including primary and secondary schools — were carried out,” said the High Commission, which represents the French central government in New Caledonia.
Security forces had managed to regain control of Noumea’s prison, which holds about 50 inmates, after an uprising and escape bid by prisoners, it said.
Australians in need of consular assistance should contact DFAT’s 24 hours consular emergency centre on 1300 555 135 within Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas.
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