AIRCALIN will welcome the first Airbus A350-900 to its flight schedule with the arrival of a plane named Malaoui.
Arriving in December and displaying the airline’s new livery, Malaoui will first serve Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland, New Caledonians’ favourite holiday destinations.
From April 2027, it will then join the Bangkok – Paris route, to which it will be dedicated.
“The arrival of Malaoui marks a new chapter in Aircalin’s history and in the industrial transformation we are leading this year,” said Georges Selefen, Chairman and CEO of AIRCALIN.
“After the challenges we have been through, it is a source of great pride for our airline and for New Caledonia to reach a new milestone in comfort and service quality for our customers with this new Airbus A350-900.
“More fuel-efficient and offering greater passenger and cargo capacity, Malaoui will enable us to better meet the needs of New Caledonians. It will also help boost tourism appeal and support New Caledonia’s economic development.”
The first three months of operation on the regional network will allow cabin and flight crews to be trained and qualified on the new aircraft.
On these routes, which are in high demand over the summer, the A350 will replace the A330s that usually operate them, offering 12% more seats and 15% more cargo capacity.
Malaoui welcomes 325 passengers in a completely redesigned three-class configuration. Every seat is equipped with a 4K screen, USB-A and USB-C ports, Bluetooth pairing and electrochromic windows.
The airline has also chartered an A330-300 to bolster its schedule during the height of the summer holidays.
From December 7 to January 31, 2027, the A330-300 from Portuguese airline EuroAtlantic Airways will operate on the Nouméa – Singapore – Nouméa and Nouméa – Sydney – Nouméa routes.
