New Caledonia International Airport Closed Until June 3

The Noumea-La Tontouta airport in New Caledonia will remain closed until Monday, the local airline stated, more than two weeks after the French Pacific territory’s hub was closed due to violent upheaval.

In a statement on Friday, Aircalin noted, “As New Caledonia is still in a crisis situation, the High Commission announces an extension of the closure of Noumea-La Tontouta Airport until June 3 at 9 am (2200 GMT June 2)”.

The airport in the capital Noumea was closed on May 14, a day after violent protests over proposed vote reforms erupted, killing seven people, and injuring hundreds more.

New Caledonia has been administered by Paris since the 1800s, although many Indigenous Kanaks seek more autonomy or independence.

France had planned to grant voting rights to thousands of non-Indigenous long-term inhabitants, which Kanaks claimed would dilute the influence of their votes.

French President Emmanuel Macron promised that vote reforms would not be imposed.

Since then, tensions have subsided significantly, with a state of emergency lifted on Tuesday.

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