The scenes of youths rioting and looting in cities across the UK over the past week have shocked everybody and in the past couple of days, staff at UBM Aviation, Routes have seen first-hand the utter devastation that these events can cause. Fortunately, the majority of the damage has been superficial, but this was not the case during recent riots in the South Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia when four people were allegedly shot dead and 23 injured in violent clashes that were reportedly over increases in air fares.
The violence on the small island of Maré erupted on August 6 and followed around two weeks of disturbances at airports across the archipelago as protestors complained about the extortionate rises in ticket prices in the country and a revised fare structure. The demonstrations are thought to have been about a wider concern over the growing divide between rich and poor and local land rights, but will have damaged the New Caledonia tourist industry during the peak holiday season and the future of local carrier Air Caledonie.
The airline’s operations have been severely impacted since protests first began in mid-July with a large number of flights on its main routes to Maré, Lifou and Ile des Pins being suspended. Local reports claim that the disruption has been costing the carrier more than €80,000 a day and could result in its bankruptcy if it continues.
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