Aircalin Boosts Paris Service Amid Recovery
Aircalin is set to increase frequency on its one-stop Paris route later this year, a move that comes as the airline continues to navigate a challenging recovery period following civil unrest in New Caledonia. The New Caledonia carrier currently operates two weekly flights from Noumea to Paris via Bangkok and plans to add a third flight in November or December, a change that its chief commercial officer William Le Grand says will make the route work better for the airline and help restore revenue. Aircalin launched the Noumea-Bangkok-Paris service last December after opening the route for sale in September. The decision to expand the Paris service emerged from a period of intense pressure caused by the civil unrest that forced Noumea’s airport to close for a month in May 2024. When international flights resumed, the carrier faced a dramatic drop in demand, with traffic reaching only 50% of pre-closure levels.
The severe decline in passenger numbers pushed the airline into “survival mode” and prompted a strategic review in July. As a result, Aircalin made the difficult decision to suspend routes to markets such as Melbourne and Tokyo and cut frequencies on other services to focus on those with higher demand. In the midst of this crisis, the carrier was also confronted with the possibility of reducing its workforce by up to 30%. However, the introduction of the high-demand Paris route has played a critical role in mitigating the need for such drastic measures.
Originally, Aircalin had planned to offer flights to an intermediate hub, allowing passengers to connect with a partner airline’s services to Paris. However, after assessing the situation, the airline decided to take a more aggressive approach by using its spare capacity to operate its own aircraft on the route. This strategic shift allows Aircalin to retain more of the revenue associated with the one-stop service and strengthens its control over the customer experience.
The carrier currently operates a fleet that includes two Airbus A320neos and two Airbus A330neos. In addition, Aircalin has placed orders for two Airbus A350-900 aircraft, with the first scheduled for delivery in late 2026 and the second in 2028. Looking ahead, the airline is likely to retain one of its A330neos while selling the other as part of its ongoing efforts to optimize its fleet composition and better align capacity with market demand.
Le Grand emphasized that boosting the Paris service is a crucial part of Aircalin’s broader strategy to recover lost revenue and enhance network resilience. The expanded frequency not only addresses immediate financial challenges but also positions the carrier for long-term growth as international travel demand continues to recover. By leveraging its own aircraft rather than relying on third-party connections, Aircalin aims to offer a more seamless travel experience for its customers. This move is expected to contribute significantly to stabilizing the airline’s finances while also rebuilding customer confidence in its international offerings. As Aircalin prepares to implement the increased frequency on its one-stop Paris route, industry observers will be watching closely to see how this strategic decision impacts its overall performance in a competitive and rapidly changing aviation market.
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