Over the past decade a lot of Pacific island flying has moved to low cost carriers. Pacific Blue / VA (NZ) have a substantial Polynesian route network, flying from both Australia and New Zealand. JQ operates to NAN from Australia. NZ has morphed from full service into an unbundled pricing model on Pacific routes to compete more effectively with low cost carriers.
Noumea, however, retains mainline service from Qantas (with occasional widebody service, nonetheless, ex-SYD - something that not even New Zealand can boast) from both BNE and SYD. Air Calin also services BNE and SYD.
Pacific Blue apparently acquired rights to BNE-NOU back in 2004 but never flew the route, claiming discrimination by New Caledonian tourism operators.
So my question for AFF members familiar with this market - 'why is it so'? Is the nature of Pacific island tourism in NOU so different from other Pacific islands that only full-service carriers can service it effectively? Are there political elements at play? Is there a massive demand for business class travel to NOU that I'm not aware of?
Noumea, however, retains mainline service from Qantas (with occasional widebody service, nonetheless, ex-SYD - something that not even New Zealand can boast) from both BNE and SYD. Air Calin also services BNE and SYD.
Pacific Blue apparently acquired rights to BNE-NOU back in 2004 but never flew the route, claiming discrimination by New Caledonian tourism operators.
So my question for AFF members familiar with this market - 'why is it so'? Is the nature of Pacific island tourism in NOU so different from other Pacific islands that only full-service carriers can service it effectively? Are there political elements at play? Is there a massive demand for business class travel to NOU that I'm not aware of?
