Saturday, September 14, 2024 Aircalin is about to test just how long travelers are willing to stay in the air with its upcoming direct flight between Nouméa (NOU) and Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG) on an Airbus A330neo. This ambitious journey, which includes a stopover in Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, will take approximately 26 hours from start to finish, giving new meaning to the term “long-haul flight.” The service is set to begin in December, marking a significant move for the airline and its passengers.
Originally, Aircalin had planned to launch the direct route to Paris in 2026, but recent political unrest in New Caledonia has accelerated the timeline. Faced with the need to scale back its network, Aircalin made the decision to expedite the Paris route. Last month, it suspended services to Tokyo Narita, a move mirrored by French flag carrier Air France, which has reduced its Tokyo operations to just Haneda.
As reported by France Info , the new Nouméa-Paris route will officially take off on December 11, 2024. During a press conference, Aircalin stated that while it has already secured the necessary approvals from its own government, the airline is still awaiting final clearance from Thailand, though it anticipates no delays. Mark your calendars! Tickets for this 26-hour journey will go on sale starting September 16, with flights scheduled to run twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The airline’s Airbus A330neo aircraft will be utilized for the service, o.