Troubles in Noumea

[toowongman]

Slept in until 930 then went for a drive as the bakery was shut. Mad traffic anywhere near a food outlet. All the major food chains are closed, so it took both of us about four hours each to get food for a few days. Lots of civil unrest last night, many more arrested. Many fires were lit on roads last night, you can see how the heat melted the asphalt surface. The vote went through the assembly in Paris, so I suspect tonight will be the same, but with more arrests.

 

[love_the_life]

The Guardian is reporting there have been 3 deaths as a result of the protests.

 

[toowongman]

The Guardian is reporting there have been 3 deaths as a result of the prot

Yes. The French high commissioner said something like "if you shoot at armed forces, they're going to end up shooting back at you".

Locals yesterday formed their own street militias, blocked off the entrances etc. The bobcat was used to move the concrete blocks around.



So, Thursday. State of emergency - thus the Army is out and about. They get a round of applause upon appearance. Always up for a friendly wave.



No idea about the airport or flights for Friday or road situation out there. Reception told me that the bakery would open at 0900h, so was eighth in line and scored my ration of two baguettes and some drinks. Early bird gets the worm:



Today's notice in Engish:


An "air bridge" from France to New Caledonia. Wow.

 

[Austman]

Seems a State of Emergency has now been declared by the Government for the next 12 days.

Reception told me that the bakery would open at 0900h

That's the one near the Hilton? It usually opens at dawn I think.

 

[toowongman]

Seems a State of Emergency has now been declared by the Government for the next 12 days.



That's the one near the Hilton? It usually opens at dawn I think.

Yeah, 0500h. L'atelier gourmand.

QF have optimistically booked us for tomorrow NOU-SYD-ADL-BNE. Sounds like a lounge crawl if we can depart.

 

[Austman]

QF have optimistically booked us for tomorrow NOU-SYD-ADL-BNE. Sounds like a lounge crawl if we can depart.

Air Calin have already cancelled flights for tomorrow (17th).

So I wouldn't get my hopes too high.

 

[toowongman]

Air Calin have already cancelled flights for tomorrow (17th).

So I wouldn't get my hopes too high.

Yup. Now booked for Sunday direct to BNE.

 

[FlyboyAl]

I just curious here.
Does travel insurance cover the extra night accommodation or is rioting etc an exclusion clause???
We are booked there in October and if this occurred while we were there, I'd just hunker down and carry on with the holiday - read a good book and enjoy the sunshine and climate.
We'' be staying at Baie de citrons at the Beaurivage

 

[Austman]

The latest DFAT advice includes:

" We've also increased the level of advice for the Noumea metropolitan area and now advise reconsider your need to travel due to civil unrest, travel disruptions and limited essential services.
...
A state of emergency is in place in New Caledonia. A curfew is in place for the Noumea metropolitan area between 6pm and 6am until further notice. Local authorities have advised to strictly limit movement throughout the day."

My trip to Noumea now falls into the 12 days state of emergency. I hope Qantas will offer cost-free options to change travel.

 

[Austman]

I hope Qantas will offer cost-free options to change travel.

And it seems they now are:

"New Caledonia: Noumea airport closure​

Noumea Airport is currently closed due to civil unrest, which is impacting all airlines.

Options are available to Qantas customers who are impacted and hold tickets issued on or before 14 May 2024, for travel until the end of May:

• You've booked directly with us, call 13 13 13 (within Australia), or your local Qantas office to discuss options, including a refund.
• If you've booked through a third-party, including a travel agent, contact them for assistance. "

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/travel-info/travel-updates.html

 

[FlyboyAl]

And it seems they now are:

"New Caledonia: Noumea airport closure​

Noumea Airport is currently closed due to civil unrest, which is impacting all airlines.

Options are available to Qantas customers who are impacted and hold tickets issued on or before 14 May 2024, for travel until the end of May:

• You've booked directly with us, call 13 13 13 (within Australia), or your local Qantas office to discuss options, including a refund.
• If you've booked through a third-party, including a travel agent, contact them for assistance. "

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/travel-info/travel-updates.html

If the airport is closed, and you are booked with qantas, what will they do - arrange a canoe home? and would that be before or after your refund lol.

Toowongman, the best of luck in resolving your challenge - you might be in for an extended holiday.

 

[FlyboyAl]

I do know there is a QANTAS office in Noumea which was open when we were there last October, and there is also the Australian High Commission.

 

[toowongman]

I do know there is a QANTAS office in Noumea which was open when we were there last October, and there is also the Australian

If the airport is closed, and you are booked with qantas, what will they do - arrange a canoe home? and would that be before or after your refund lol.

Toowongman, the best of luck in resolving your challenge - you might be in for an extended holiday.

Thanks. Writing this from the hot tub QF are fine to rebook us as required. We don't need to be anywhere until the 27th, so happy here for the moment.

The QF office I suspect is closed and wouldn't offer any benefit over using the phone. The high commission facebook page is starting to get interesting, people getting a little twitchy. Fair enough.

 

[Foreigner]

Not good news

 

[Austman]

For those wondering what the Qantas "options" currently are. At least for pax in my situation with an upcoming trip before 31st May:

1. A free move to the next Qantas operating flight. I *think* you could also move to any future date.

2. A free move to an Air Calin flight within 14 days of the original booking.

3. A full booking flight credit with no fees.

4. A full booking refund with no fees.

 

[ms1]

1. A free move to the next Qantas operating flight. I *think* you could also move to any future date.

Do you know what impact this would have on double status credits?

 

[Austman]

Do you know what impact this would have on double status credits?

No. But it will affect me too.

There is of course Original Routing Credit for forced changes.

And if you rebooked to all QF flights, there shouldn't be an issue.

I'm not sure if you took a flight credit and then used it for all new QF flights, if it would apply. Does it stay the same PNR?

 

[dairyfloss]

I'm not sure if you took a flight credit and then used it for all new QF flights, if it would apply. Does it stay the same PNR?

Flight credit (voucher) - yes
TravelPass credit - no

 

[Austman]

Flight credit (voucher) - yes

Is that for the Double Status Credits, the same PNR or both?

 

[dairyfloss]

Is that for the Double Status Credits, the same PNR or both?

You won’t get an official answer on this… but it has often (generally) played out that if you retain the same PNR that was booked, you’ll likely retain the promotion benefit (so long as the revised flight dates are within the original travel promo period)