Support for Vanuatu

The airline Air Calédonie expresses its deep solidarity with Vanuatu, which has been severely affected by the earthquake that occurred near the capital, Port Vila.

We extend our heartfelt thoughts to the victims, their loved ones, and all those impacted by this disaster.In light of this situation, the Vanuatuan authorities have announced the closure of Port Vila’s international airport to commercial flights for the coming days, pending the completion of repair work.

As a result, the airline, whose top priority remains the safety of its passengers and crews, will be unable to operate flights to this destination until the airport reopens.We are closely monitoring developments and working with our partner Aircalin to explore possible solutions when circumstances allow.

Despite these challenges, we remain committed to standing alongside the people of Vanuatu, and our support for this beautiful archipelago—where we recently inaugurated our new regular route—remains stronger than ever.We hope that the courage and resilience of the people will help Vanuatu overcome this ordeal and recover swiftly.

Air Calédonie stands ready to support them, to the best of its ability, in facing this challenge.

Flight Schedule Disruptions and Management of Operational Challenges

[Updated on December 18]

Due to ongoing technical issues and despite the efforts of our teams, disruptions are still occurring. As a result, changes to our flight schedule—sometimes at the last minute—may arise, leading to significant delays or cancellations.

In the event of a cancellation, passengers are notified by SMS or email based on the contact details provided at the time of booking, but they are not automatically rebooked.

Affected passengers must inform us of their preferred resolution as soon as possible—especially those wishing to be rescheduled on the next available flight, whose requests are given priority.

To do so, the airline invites customers to complete the dedicated form available here.

Our teams are doing their utmost to process requests promptly, but due to the volume of inquiries, processing times are to be expected.

Additionally, cancellations that have occurred since last week have caused congestion in our cargo service, extending delivery times for shipments already in progress. As of today, only urgent parcel shipment requests are being handled at the cargo service desks at our stations.

The airline is making every effort to minimize the inconvenience caused by this situation and thanks its passengers for their understanding.

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Due to technical issues, significant changes to the flight schedule are expected through Friday, December 13 (inclusive).
Our teams are working diligently to implement all possible alternatives to minimize the impact on passengers and keep them informed directly.

We encourage affected passengers to prioritize online processes whenever possible, as our call center is currently overwhelmed.

What to do if your flight is canceled?

If your flight is canceled, you will automatically receive a text message and an email at the contact details provided during booking.
To help expedite the resolution of your case, we strongly encourage you to complete the dedicated online form: https://bit.ly/4iuEJLq.

Why are these disruptions occurring?

These cascading schedule changes result from several factors linked to the events of last May, which caused a sharp decline in domestic air traffic.

To adapt to this challenging context, the airline has implemented a profound and sustainable transformation plan. The flight schedule has been adjusted to meet reduced demand, maintaining limited rotations, especially for tourist destinations like the Isle of Pines or Ouvéa, with one flight per day or fewer. This program relies on the operation of two ATR72-600 aircraft from the fleet of four.

To optimize resources, the airline has also leased one of its aircraft to Air Tahiti for a year and adjusted its workforce accordingly. Additionally, another ATR is undergoing scheduled maintenance for several weeks. As a result, the airline currently has only two operational aircraft, leaving little room for maneuver in the event of disruptions, whether external (such as weather disturbances) or internal (such as technical issues).

Meeting demands during peak periods

Despite these constraints and the high demand during the holiday season and school vacation period, the airline is committed to meeting its passengers’ needs to the best of its ability and optimizing capacity across all destinations.

We sincerely thank our passengers for their patience and understanding.