There’s something new in the air for Singapore travellers. Aircalin, the airline from New Caledonia, has launched a twice-weekly direct flight between Singapore and the Noumea in the French terrority’s capital.
Operated by Airbus A330neos, the flight began its maiden flight to Singapore from Noumea on 1 July 2022. Singapore is Aircalin’s second destination in Asia, with Tokyo being the first. Previously, Aircalin has also flown to Osaka, Japan and Seoul, Korea.
Aircalin is looking to add an additional flight to Singapore in September.
“The new airline route is a win-win for both Singapore and New Caledonia,” said Michael Forrest, President of New Caledonian Tourism and member of the government for international tourism promotion.
“It opens our exceptional destination – which has escaped mass tourism – to Singaporeans who will be able to discover our amazing natural and cultural diversity.”
New Caledonia welcomes about 132,000 tourists a year. With the newly launched direct flight to Singapore, it targets to receive about 1,000 visitors from Singapore for the year and about 6,000 by 2025.
At a press conference at Jewel Changi Airport on 2 July, Didier Tappero, Chief Executive Officer of Aircalin, expressed that the airline is looking to grow its Asian network. He added that the Singapore route allows the airline to explore flights to France and Europe via New Caledonia with its partner airline Air France.
Apart from the Asian network, Aircalin’s medium-haul network currently connects Noumea to Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tahiti and Wallis-and-Futuna.
