12 Jul 2019

New airline planned for Wallis and Futuna

4:16 pm on 12 July 2019

Plans are afoot in Wallis and Futuna for a new airline which would end the monopoly held by New Caledonia's international carrier.

Aerial of Futuna, Wallis and Futuna, South Pacific, Pacific

Photo: Michael Runkel

The public broadcaster La Premiere said a businessman Louis Alphonse will be submitting his plans to launch WF Aviation to the authorities next month, in the hope of starting flights late next year.

Aircalin currently provides the territory's only air link, connecting Wallis to Noumea and Papeete.

According to the broadcaster, no details have been released about the project but Mr Alphonse said the airline would want to fly to New Caledonia and French Polynesia, and additionally to Fiji.

Mr Alphonse said there is strong local demand for extra services as many are unhappy with Aircalin, in particular with the fare policy.

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