29 Apr 2020

Air Loyaute resumes flights in New Caledonia outer islands

12:32 pm on 29 April 2020

New Caledonia's Air Loyaute has resumed services after lockdown provisions over the Covid-19 outbreak have been eased.

Air Loyaute, New Caledonia

Air Loyaute, New Caledonia Photo: supplied FB

The airline said it would operate while ensuring travellers observed distancing rules.

The carrier connects Ouvea, Lifou, Mare and Tiga, but during the past month's emergency it helped move freight from Noumea to the Loyalty Islands.

Air Caledonie, which is the main domestic airline, will resume its flights on Monday.

The airline had planned to start flying again at the beginning of last week but rescinded the plan because customary leaders feared renewed air travel could spread the virus.

The international carrier Aircalin currently only provides repatriation flights for residents stranded overseas.

The 18 Covid-19 cases recorded to date were all brought in from overseas and they are concentrated in the Noumea area.