The airline's financial troubles were aggravated by a protest blockade at key airfields, where demonstrators were angry at the company's decision to move operations from Nouméa Magenta airport to La Tontouta base, which is more than 50km from Nouméa city. This blockade movement has severely impacted operations. In response, a Commerce Tribunal in New Caledonia started a judicially-supervised recovery process for the airline this week, with the Nouméa Commerce Tribunal now effectively in charge of its affairs.
The procedure could lead to a salvage plan, potentially allowing Air Calédonie to continue operations while debts from before April 14 would be frozen, aiming to preserve cash flow for a six-month period that could be renewed, with the hope of eventual recovery to a sustainable activity level. Air Calédonie, founded in 1954 and serving the French territory in the South Pacific, has seen half of its staff placed on temporary employment and part-time pay. Talks over the weekend with the leaders of the blockade collective and French State representatives failed to produce any progress.
This was probably the company's last chance to survive.
Air Calédonie said it remained mobilised to save a vital company for New Caledonia and design a viable recovery plan. Alcide Ponga, the New Caledonia President, suggested that someone might want the airline to fail. Yves Dupas, the Public Prosecutor, indicated this was likely the company's final opportunity for survival.
The specific actions in the recovery process, the identities of the blockade leaders, and the terms for the debt freeze remain unclear, as does the current status of flights and the timeline for the salvage plan.