New Caledonia's international airline has resumed scheduled flights to Australia after a two-year interruption because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Aircalin restarted flights to Sydney today for passengers complying with Australia's travel restrictions.
They include the requirement to be fully vaccinated, which is expected to contribute to fewer people travelling.
Although flights to Sydney were planned almost daily, this week's flights on Tuesday and Wednesday have already been cancelled.
AirCalin Airbus at Noumea Airport Photo: RNZ Walter Zweifel
Aircalin plans to resume flight to Brisbane on Saturday.
The airline had flown to Australia in the past two years but only to repatriate stranded New Caledonian residents.
In New Caledonia, flights between Noumea and the Loyalty Islands have resumed after an almost week-long disruption.
Traditional leaders had ordered the closure of the airports on Lifou and Mare because they objected to the terms for travel on Air Caledonie flights.
They wanted to either abolish the need of a health pass or for the authorities to pay for pre-departure Covid-19 tests.
An agreement has now been reached, and the town administrations in the two islands will now pay for the tests until the end of March.
