Troubles in Noumea

[toowongman]

Does that mean no more flights from the RAAF and they have handballed it to the French?

I would propose the French would rather sort it out themselves (national pride and all that).
Plus Macron is on his way out here as well:

Crise en Nouvelle-Calédonie : Emmanuel Macron partira sur place mardi soir pour y installer "une mission" de dialogue

Le président de la République part "dans un esprit de responsabilité", a expliqué mardi la porte-parole du gouvernement Prisca Thevenot, qui n'a pas donné de détails sur la mission évoquée.

www.francetvinfo.fr

Bedtime, could be a big day tomorrow. 'night all.

 

[henrus]

Here's the latest missive from DFAT. Spot the twist in the plot:

French A330s have been in and out of Brisbane all week (I saw one this morning taxing in front of the domestic terminal as I waited to board a VA flight), perhaps the French are offering seats on these flights instead?

Can you please provide me a link to this new commercial policy?

https://www.qantas.com/agencyconnect/au/en/agency-news/agency-news-may-24/commercial-and-reward-bookings-policy-for-customers-impacted-by-civil-unrest-in-noumea.html

 

[ksthommo]

French Government A330 Flight from Honolulu to Noumea currently in the air
Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map | Flightradar24
Can only hope it's flying in to evacuate visitors.

 

[toowongman]

French Government A330 Flight from Honolulu to Noumea currently in the air
Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map | Flightradar24
Can only hope it's flying in to evacuate visitors.

Thanks. It's part of the air bridge flights. The good news is that they refuel in Brisbane, so we hope the French graciously allow us to fly between NOU and BNE... if they can get us to La Tontouta safely.

 

[jase05]

Thanks. It's part of the air bridge flights. The good news is that they refuel in Brisbane, so we hope the French graciously allow us to fly between NOU and BNE... if they can get us to La Tontouta safely.

No notification yet for you?

 

[toowongman]

No notification yet for you?

No. You just get the call to go in twenty minutes.

 

[moa999]

Any info on how many got out on the two flights yesterday in the end?

 

[jase05]

Any info on how many got out on the two flights yesterday in the end?

108 got out yesterday on the two flights

 

[FlyboyAl]

So if I understand this, the French are now looking after repatriating Aussies to Australia? Yes, I getvthe French pride thing.

 

[moa999]

This NZ article suggests French flight from the larger La Tontua airport to Brisbane today.

Second mercy flight evacuates nearly 100 more Kiwis from New Caledonia

MFAT estimates there are more than 250 Kiwis currently in New Caledonia.

www.nzherald.co.nz

 

[Mwenenzi]

A RadioNZ article on the same flights as above

French-operated flight to evacuate next group of New Zealanders from New Caledonia

The flight will take the New Zealanders to Brisbane with a transit flight completing their evacuation to Auckland.

www.rnz.co.nz

A French-operated flight will bring stranded New Zealanders to Brisbane, with a New Zealand Defence Force flight arranged for the travel from Brisbane to New Zealand.
The French flight is due to depart Tontouta Airport at 6pm NZ time with 49 Kiwis on board.
The flight from Brisbane to Auckland is due to arrive at Auckland International Airport at 1am NZ time.
MFAT said it was still working with French and Australian authorities on logistics.
<snip>

 

[FlyboyAl]

Judging by Toowongmans lack of posts, perhaps he has been enjoying an F suit, with his family, on the French military airbus.
Just think - French vintage champagne, garlic snails, coq au vin, chateaubriand - I guess we will all just imagine what he is enjoying.
Hopefully it will all be in the trip report!!!!

 

[henrus]

I guess we will all just imagine what he is enjoying.

To be fair the SB lounge at NOU isn’t that bad, it has champagne and is often really quiet. My guess it was shut before these flights.

 

[Sprucegoose]

French A330s have been in and out of Brisbane all week (I saw one this morning taxing in front of the domestic terminal as I waited to board a VA flight), perhaps the French are offering seats on these flights instead?

https://www.qantas.com/agencyconnect/au/en/agency-news/agency-news-may-24/commercial-and-reward-bookings-policy-for-customers-impacted-by-civil-unrest-in-noumea.html

I would like to see the menu before I board an evacuation flight.

 

[FlyboyAl]

I wonder what French Ration Packs are like???

 

[Sprucegoose]

I wonder what French Ration Packs are like???

Goose Liver Pate and Foie Gras........followed by a litre of Bordeaux

 

[mbell1510]

We went to NC and stayed in the DoubleTree Ilot Maitre, just wondering if they still offer the buffet...
Also, QF is doing NC specials for $5xx return, all the way to Jan 2025, I think these days could be OK.
For the seating in the Hercules... - I think those with status will have the bench seats, and Y will be on the floor.

Hope everyone has a smooth and safe return!
I think the French authorities still have a lot of work to do to bed this down completely.....

Went to the Double Tree in January and the buffet was offered for free.

 

[toowongman]

Wednesday. Nothing

Judging by Toowongmans lack of posts, perhaps he has been enjoying an F suit, with his family, on the French military airbus.
Just think - French vintage champagne, garlic snails, coq au vin, chateaubriand - I guess we will all just imagine what he is enjoying.
Hopefully it will all be in the trip report!!!!

Sorry, still here. Got up early, packed, went back to bed until 10, then zipped out for our daily food shop.

Played chess all day until lunch at 2 then worked until 6. Mrs found a jar of instant coffee at the store. Excellent! Food isn't an issue any more if you can get to the shops at Anse Vata.

As for our government... No calls, no emails, no news from DFAT except congratulating themselves on social media about the first evacuation flights.



RAAF is ready to return if allowed.

DFAT called a few wrong people today and told them to prep to ship out, but it wasn't their turn. Poor buggers.

Oh well, another day. See you tomorrow.

 

[toowongman]

Ah, the DFAT email just arrived. No flights tomorrow, French are too busy (and Macron is arriving).

 

[moa999]

Good luck

No communication isn't great.
It seems fairly poor that they only got 108 out on two aircraft on Tuesday (that can reportedly take a lot more)
And however many seats on today's French flight (the Kiwis had 50, assume Aus had same or more)

And crazy a single arrival blocks all flights.