A total of 3,200 passengers were affected by a lack of commercial flights to or from New Caledonia in the South Pacific, authorities said in the archipelago that has been the scene of unrest.
According to the two airlines that regularly serve New Caledonia, 3,200 people are unable to leave or return to the archipelago, government spokesman Gilbert Thuenon told a news conference in the capital Noumea.
Commercial flights have been grounded since Tuesday due to unrest in France in the South Pacific.
Aircalin plans to resume flights on Tuesday, but Air Calédonie is not giving a date “until further notice.”
“Aircalin is currently providing housing to some [habitantes de Nova Caledónia] who are stuck in Singapore or Tokyo,” said government member in charge of the civil service, Waimua Muliawa.
“We can’t do this forever. That’s why we say: another day is another day,” he added.
The local government owns 99% of Aircalin and 50.3% of Air Calédonie.
Australia and New Zealand are also preparing for the return of New Caledonian citizens.
Since Monday, the violence – the worst recorded in New Caledonia since the late 1980s – has left five people dead, including two police officers, and hundreds injured, authorities said.
The crisis began after the presentation of a new bill passed in Paris, which determines that French people who have lived in the archipelago for ten years have the right to vote in local elections.
Local political leaders fear the new measure will weaken New Caledonia’s strength.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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