FLY CORALway Abandons Launch Plans Amid Funding Challenges and Ongoing Pandemic Impact

FLY CORALway, the prospective South Pacific airline, has officially called off its launch plans, citing a lack of financing and continued challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The airline, which had aimed to connect New Caledonia with French Polynesia and other islands in the region, made the announcement on its Facebook account on December 31, 2023.

The post expressed regret about the decision, stating, “If the conditions seemed all set before the Covid pandemic, our well-founded hopes of launching operations are no longer feasible due to a lack of funding.”

FLY CORALway’s journey has been closely monitored since 2019 when it was known as WF Aviation, based in the Wallis and Futuna Islands. In 2020, the airline rebranded as Air Corail and shifted its focus to French Polynesia, planning to trade as FLY CORALway. The airline intended to operate dual-class A220-300s, connecting various destinations, including Wallis, Apia Faleolo, Nadi, Nouméa La Tontouta, and Papeete.

Despite securing an Air Transport License (ATL) from the French Polynesian government in late 2020, the pandemic disrupted FLY CORALway’s startup plans. While French Polynesia is currently experiencing a post-pandemic tourism boom, the airline struggled to secure the necessary funding to proceed with its operations.

Founder Louis Alphonse had put the startup on the market several months ago, acknowledging the significant impact of Covid on the launch of FLY CORALway. In an August 23 Facebook post, he stated, “Covid has significantly impacted the launch of FLY CORALway, and I no longer have the means to carry out this ambitious project.”

Despite efforts to sell the project and keep the initiative alive, the airline ultimately faced insurmountable challenges, leading to the decision to abandon its launch plans.

ch-aviation has reached out to FLY CORALway for further comments on the situation.