Air Calédonie (TY, Nouméa Magenta) and communities in New Caledonia's Loyalty Islands have entered a new round of talks amid ongoing protests over the carrier's transfer of its hub from Nouméa Magenta to Nouméa La Tontouta, as the territory's new government seeks a way forward in the dispute.

President of the government of New Caledonia Milakulo Tukumuli, who was elected on July 31, 2026, and is also responsible for transport, met representatives of the Loyalty Islands in Lifou on August 6. Tukumuli asked the parties to work on a broader mobility plan, aimed at resolving the dispute.

Representatives from the communes of Lifou, Maré, and Ouvéa continue to demand Air Calédonie's return to Nouméa Magenta, the Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes outlet reported, but have agreed to participate in drafting a wider plan. Proposals are expected within about one month.

Since March, protesters have blocked airports in the Loyalty Islands, preventing Air Calédonie from operating regular services to some of the islands. The airline has still not been able to resume flights to Maré and Ouvéa, although it has restored services to Lifou and Île des Pins.

Air Calédonie implemented its hub transfer to Nouméa La Tontouta on March 2 as part of a government-backed effort to cut costs and better integrate its operations with Aircalin. The carrier has been under court-supervised restructuring since April following prolonged financial and operational difficulties.

According to ch-aviation data, Air Calédonie operates three ATR72-600s, which it uses to serve the four aforementioned domestic destinations in New Caledonia and its sole international destination, Port Vila in Vanuatu.