New Caledonia’s Aircalin reveals A350-900 order
On 12 December 2024 Aircalin (Air Calédonie International) announced that it had placed an order for two Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The A350 has now won more than 1,300 orders from some…
December 12, 2024
On 12 December 2024 Aircalin (Air Calédonie International) announced that it had placed an order for two Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The A350 has now won more than 1,300 orders from some 61 customers worldwide, by the end of November 2024.
This new order will enable Aircalin to support the airline’s long haul network expansion plans, as Georges Selefen, Aircalin CEO, explained: “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.”
Aircalin was established in September 1983 as Air Calédonie International, an international carrier to complement Air Calédonie, New Caledonia’s domestic airline. Aircalin is 99% owned by the Government of New Caledonia, and operates scheduled services from a primary hub at La Tontouta International Airport to destinations in Wallis and Futuna and across Oceania and Asia. Destinations include Auckland, Sydney, Brisbane, Fiji, Papeete (French Polynesia), Singapore, Bangkok and Paris.
Aircalin has codeshare agreements with Air Caledonie, Air France, Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti Nui, Air Vanuatu, Japan Airlines and Qantas, and participates in Flying Blue, the frequent-flyer program of Air France–KLM. The airline originally joined Air France’s Fréquence Plus programme in 1997, before it was integrated into KLM’s Flying Blue programme in 2003.
Today, Aircalin operates a pair of A330-900 (A330neo) aircraft and two A320neos. These were ordered in 2017, and Aircalin’s first Airbus A330-900 was delivered on 30 July 2019, but delivery of the A320s was delayed as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic. The first of two A320neos finally arrived in December 2020.
Benoit de Saint-Exupery, EVP Sales of the Airbus Commercial Aircraft business explained Aircalin’s choice of the A350-900. “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,” he said.
Airbus claims that the A350 is the world’s most modern and efficient widebody aircraft in the 300-410 seater category, and say that its state-of-the-art technologies and aerodynamics deliver “unmatched standards of efficiency and comfort.” Its new generation engines and use of lightweight materials are claimed to bring a 25% improvement in fuel burn, operating costs and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, compared to previous generation competitor aircraft.
The A350 aircraft is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), as is the case with all current Airbus aircraft, and Airbus plans for all aircraft to be up to 100% SAF capable by 2030.
Aircalin plans to configure its A350s in a three class premium layout offering accommodation for more than 320 passengers. This will include an enlarged business class and will represent a 15% increase in capacity compared to the A330-900.
