Qantas has officially resumed direct flights to New Caledonia from June 4 with the first of once-weekly flights from Brisbane, Australia. The journey is a convenient two-hour course to La Tontouta International Airport in the New Caledonia capital of Noumea.
From June 5, Qantas also kicked off its 2.5-hour flight from Sydney to Noumea. This route will run three times a week, and extend to four weekly flights from August 13, with all services operated by a Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
“From May onwards, fully vaccinated Australians no longer need to perform a RAT or PCR test prior to travel,” Nouvelle Calédonie Tourisme confirmed.
The country was closed for two years and reopened to fully vaccinated travellers in March.
“A RAT test is still required 48 hours after arrival in New Caledonia, which can be done for free in pharmacies.”
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These updated regulations remove the previously mandatory seven-day self-isolation period for travellers.
Qantas operated its first flight to Noumea in 1942, with the resumption of its direct flights from Brisbane and Sydney also marking the 80th anniversary of the airline’s services to New Caledonia.
