Consumer group seeks independent probe into Aircalin A330 Neo technical problems

Que choisir ensemble, a consumer protection group in New Caledonia, is calling for an independent investigation into Aircalin after a series of technical problems and cancelled flights, according to the aviation news outlet aeroTELEGRAPH.

The organisation sent a letter dated 13 October asking for a meeting with the government of New Caledonia, the portal France Info reported. The complaint centres on repeated disruptions to the airline's Airbus A330 Neo aircraft, which Aircalin flies to Singapore, Bangkok and Paris. A recent flight to Singapore was cancelled because of a technical defect.

The group suspects a link between the faults and the launch of the route from Nouméa via Bangkok to Paris. It questions whether the A330 Neo suits that sector, and whether Aircalin should have waited for the Airbus A350 before starting the service.

The review would look at the decisions taken at the time, possible management failures and the financial consequences. Que choisir ensemble also wants short-term countermeasures.

The source cited no response from Aircalin or from the New Caledonian authorities, and the cause of the technical faults has not been established publicly.