Australians can now take off to New Caledonia for their tropical holidays as Qantas recommences services to Nouméa from Sydney and Brisbane this week.
The first Qantas flight, QF89 from Brisbane to Nouméa, touched down just after 3.00pm on Saturday 4 June, with QF91 from Sydney to Nouméa restarting on Sunday 5 June.
Qantas will initially operate four return flights per week on a Boeing 737-800 between Australia and New Caledonia, with a weekly service between Brisbane and Nouméa and three weekly services between Sydney and Nouméa.
The new services will enable more Australians to explore the French territory, with 2022 marking 80 years of the Qantas connection with Nouméa, with the first flights taking off in 1942 to support wartime efforts in the Pacific. It then became a key stop on South Pacific services from 1946, with regular flights operated by Empire flying boats between Sydney and Suva via Brisbane and Nouméa.
A Qantas spokesperson said, “With the strong demand for international travel, we know that our customers are keen to return to New Caledonia and experience its French flavour.”
“These flights will make it easy for customers to experience the breadth of New Caledonia, with schedules allowing for same-day travel beyond Nouméa to tourist favourites such as the Isle of Pines and Loyalty Islands.”