Aircalin considers a development phase as New Caledonia targets high-end tourists

Air Calédonie International (Aircalin), the national carrier of New Caledonia, plans to develop its core Australian and New Zealand routes as the carrier enters into a development phase that could include the acquisition of additional narrowbody Airbus aircraft.

The carrier is expecting modest growth of about 3% annually for the next few years supported by a new national tourism strategy targeting wealthier tourists, in particular from Australia. The country is looking to build a viable tourism industry as a diversification to its dominant mining sector.

But the archipelago has suffered a steady decline in tourist visitors from its key markets, Australia, Japan and New Zealand, in recent years which will make growth at Aircalin a challenge.