FLEET - Aircalin (New Caledonia) secures financing for its first A350-900, with a consortium led by BPCE-Natixis CIB (France) that combines bank loans, Aircalin’s own equity and US$80.0 million in tax incentives

The first A350-900 is scheduled for delivery in December 2026, with a second due in mid-2028.

Aviator / Flyingphotos AI

 

FLEET - Aircalin discloses order for the A350

Paris, France, 12 December 2024 – Aircalin, the international airline of the South Pacific French territory of New Caledonia, has disclosed an order with Airbus for two long-range A350-900 aircraft. This order will enable Aircalin to support fleet adaptation and the carrier's long haul network expansion.

Currently the airline’s widebody fleet comprises two A330neo aircraft. The airline plans to configure its A350s in a three class premium layout offering accommodation for more than 320 passengers. This would include an enlarged business class and represent an increase in capacity of 15% compared with the A330neo.

“As a continuation of our long-standing partnership with Airbus, we have selected the A350-900 to join our fleet in the coming years. These aircraft are essential for operating our recently inaugurated Nouméa-Paris via Bangkok route. They will open the doors to very long-haul flights and enable Aircalin to pursue its development strategy,” said Georges Selefen, Aircalin CEO.

“We are pleased with Aircalin’s decision to add the A350 to its fleet. This will allow Aircalin to further develop its potential and open up more long haul routes. The order is yet another endorsement of the A350 as the undisputed long-range leader, bringing fuel efficient service on some of the world’s longest networks, while offering passengers the highest levels of comfort” said Benoit de Saint-Exupery, EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business.

The A350 is the world’s most modern and efficient widebody aircraft in the 300-410 seater category. The A350’s clean sheet design includes state-of-the-art technologies and aerodynamics delivering unmatched standards of efficiency and comfort. Its new generation engines and use of lightweight materials bring a 25 per cent advantage in fuel burn, operating costs and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, compared to previous generation competitor aircraft.

As with all Airbus aircraft, the A350 aircraft is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus is targeting to have its aircraft up to 100% SAF capable by 2030.

At the end of November 2024, the A350 had won over 1,300 orders from 61 customers worldwide.

 AIRBUS

FLEET / ROUTES - AIRCALIN MAR/APR 2024 LEASED WAMOS AIR A330 OPERATIONS

Aircalin since last week added leased Wamos Air Airbus A330-200 aircraft to its operation, replacing selected flights operated by A330-900neo. The leased A330 is currently scheduled until late-April 2024.
Noumea – Papeete 16MAR24 – 27APR24 1 weekly
Noumea – Singapore 22MAR24 – 26APR24 1-3 weekly
Noumea – Sydney 15MAR24 – 23APR24 Various dates

 

AIR CALIN / A330-900N - F-ONEO: Maintenance in Lisbon at TAP

 FPP - LPPT

Aircalin takes delivery of its first A320neo

Toulouse, 28 December 2020 – New Caledonia’s Aircalin has taken delivery of its first A320neo. The aircraft joins two A330neo already delivered under the carrier’s fleet modernisation plan.


With its new fleet the airline benefits from the lowest operating costs in the respective size categories, as well as the unique commonality between variants of the Airbus Family.

Aircalin’s A320neo is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1000 engines and configured in a single class layout with 168 seats.

With the A320neo, Aircalin will be able to increase capacity on its flights and open new routes across the Pacific region.

The A320neo Family offers the widest single-aisle cabin in the sky and incorporates the latest technologies, including new generation engines and Sharklets, delivering a 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption, as well as 50 per cent less noise compared to previous generation aircraft.

At the end of November 2020, the A320neo Family had received 7,455 firm orders from over 120 customers worldwide.

AIR CALIN - A320NEO - F-WWIR

 Alain Charpentier

AIR CALIN - A330-900NEO - F-WWYV

Alain Charpentier - TLS

AirCalin plans A330-900neo service entry in Dec 2019

AirCalin in last week’s schedule update filed planned Airbus A330-900neo aircraft service, set to enter service from December 2019, replacing A330-200. Configuration of the A330-900neo is C26Y265.

Noumea – Osaka Kansai eff 02DEC19 2 weekly
Noumea – Papeete eff 07DEC19 1 weekly
Noumea – Sydney eff 03DEC19 2 weekly
Noumea – Tokyo Narita eff 01DEC19 5 weekly
Based on current listing, the airline’s last A330-200 service is scheduled on 30NOV19, although this is likely to change.

By Jim Liu

Aircalin firms up order for two A320neos and two A330neos

New Caledonia upgrades its fleet with world’s most fuel-efficient aircraft

Aircalin, the Noumea based carrier in the French territory of New Caledonia has firmed up its order for two A320neos single-aisle and two A330-900 wide-body aircraft.

The A320neo powered by Pratt & Whitney engines and equipped with 168 seats will be deployed on regional routes to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. The A330neo, powered by the latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines will feature 26 seats in Business, 21 in Premium and 244 in Economy Class. Aircalin plans to deploy the aircraft on commercial services to Japan for onward connections.

“Investing in our new fleet of modern efficient aircraft reduces our environmental impact thanks to lower fuel burn and allows Aircalin to reduce operating costs too. Equipped with the latest technology the aircraft will drive Aircalin’s strategy forward in Asia Pacific as well as its ambition to promote the development of tourism in New Caledonia”, said Didier Tappero, Aircalin CEO.

“It is a pleasure to see Aircalin modernising its fleet with our latest generation single-aisle and twin-aisle aircraft. The A330neo and A320neo will enable Aircalin to offer its customers unprecedented levels of comfort,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer- Customers, Airbus Commercial Aircraft. “Aircalin will benefit from the unique commonality between all variants of the Airbus Family and enjoy efficiencies throughout its existing fleet.

The A330neo has latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, new wings and a new cabin. It benefits from the versatility and high reliability of the A330 but reduces fuel consumption by 14% making it the most cost efficient small to mid-size widebody aircraft on the market.

The A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklets, which together deliver at least 15 percent fuel savings at delivery and 20 percent by 2020. With more than 5,200 orders received from 95 customers since its launch in 2010, the A320neo Family has captured some 60 percent share of the market.

Aircalin secures US foreign carrier permit

Aircalin (SB, Nouméa La Tontouta) has secured a foreign air carrier permit from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) thereby allowing it to operate scheduled and charter flights between any point or points behind New Caledonia, via New Caledonia and any intermediate points to any point or points in the United States. The New Caledonian carrier plans to conduct its flights via a codeshare with fellow Pacific operator, Air Tahiti Nui.

In its original application, Aircalin said it would codeshare with Air Tahiti Nui on a 2x weekly Nouméa La Tontouta to Los Angeles Int'l via Papeete service and on a weekly Noumea to Los Angeles via Auckland Int'l, New Zealand flight.

Aircalin will also place its SB flightcode on flights Air Tahiti Nui currently operates between Auckland and Papeete on the one hand, and Los Angeles on the other. It will operate Noumea - Papeete and Noumea - Auckland segments of its Noumea - Los Angeles service using its own A330-200 aircraft.

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New Caledonia's Aircalin eyes Air Tahiti US route codeshare

Aircalin has applied to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for a foreign air carrier permit. The French carrier would use the permit to offer scheduled and charter flights between any point or points behind New Caledonia, via New Caledonia and any intermediate points to any point or points in the United States.

"Aircalin plans to offer twice-weekly codeshare service between Nouméa La Tontouta, New Caledonia (NOU), and Los Angeles, CA (LAX) via Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia (PPT) and once weekly codeshare service between Noumea, New Caledonia (NOU) and Los Angeles Int'l, CA (LAX) via Auckland Int'l, New Zealand... Airclain intends to begin marketing this service as soon as all required governmental approvals are in place," it said.

Aircalin will place its SB flightcode on flights Air Tahiti Nui currently operates between Auckland and Papeete on the one hand, and Los Angeles on the other. It will operate Noumea - Papeete and Noumea - Auckland segments of its Noumea - Los Angeles service using its own A330-200 aircraft.
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AIR CALEDONIE INTERNATIONAL - A330-200 - F-OHSD - New livery

Hung-Hsin Hsu - Tokyo - Narita