Aircalin Orders Airbus A350-900, And I'm Confused

You'd think this airline would go the French Bee / Cebu Pacific model of high-capacity widebody aircraft given they are largely transporting people from mainland France to French territories who are either VFR, or leisure travelers, therefore not paying top dollar for premium products.

That 10,366 miles would require overflying a bunch of closed [to French-flagged carriers] airspace... add 500-700 miles (and that's a best-case scenario) to avoid Russian, Iranian, and Ukrainian airspace. So more like 11,900-12,000 miles.

The listed range for the A350-900 is 9,600 miles.

So, yeah, the math ain't mathin'.

Hopefully they add more routes. Could become a big Pacific carrier, like Fiji Airways of Air NZ. Could add more flights to Pacific Islands, Port Moresby, Aussie, or Wellington or Christchurch. Could resume Tokyo, add HK. Could fly to LA and offer low airfard between Aus and NZ to USA or Vancouver. Could fly to San Fran maths.

"Historically, Aircalin has operated its wide body aircraft primarily between Noumea (NOU) and Japan, including Osaka (KIX) and Tokyo Narita (NRT)."

And Singapore.

The desire to add and increase use of the A359 is likely due to better performance from SE Asia to Europe and less about thinking they can fly nonstop from home to CDG.

The 339 in a heavy passenger configuration as Aircalin uses the aircraft is virtually certainly going to face payload restrictions from BKK to CDG at some times of the year because of the temps, length of the flight, and airspace restrictions.

Might be a political ploy. New Caledonia had some major political unrest earlier this year.

Probably to add more capacity with 10-across like French Bee. Sure they could do 9-across with A330-900 to fit more pax, but CDG-BKK will become challenging if they need to avoid Iranian, Israeli, and Russian airspace at certain period of years.

Those are normie routes, if Aircalin want to set themselves apart and want to enter/create new markets, they would look at flying VVI, HRE. They may even look at operating NOU-KEF seasonally (not sure it would work year-round).

Just because they didn't say they ordered the ULR version, doesn't mean they didn't. And at what point do they have to tell Airbus that's what they want? It's not like manufacture has already started. What they have is a place in line.

The ULR version may actually cover the whole distance between Paris and the colony (it covers up to 11.163 miles where the route would be 10.400 under optimal conditions), but I would assume that would also mean that some airspace restrictions are suddenly lifted, and I would expect that the configuration should be less dense to bring down the total weight. Either that, or they got some special UULR version with extra extra fuel tanks.

However, the 'confusing' management statement is just that: management talk. It's more interesting to look at the facts and the details of the order than to see what management reads from a PowerPoint presentation. I'm sure we'll find the details anywhere soon.

Sure, Ben Holz! And a route to Nuuk in Greenland, of course!

It’s to transport the police to control the unrest situation. Loads of police fordes are being ferried up and down.

The most capable current A350-900s are more capable than the ULR was at the time it was built.

There might still be payload restrictions; even the ULRs that SQ operates cannot carry 300 passengers from NYC to SIN but the most capable 283 tonne maximum takeoff weight A350-900s can fly as far if not further than the ULRs.

The reason for the unrest is a proposed change to allow some French residents to vote in New Cal elections, who were previously not allowed to because of fears they would out number / outvote the indigenous population.

I would think the last people who would be welcomed, would also be the same people who didn't want to go there, the French public.

The great circle distance between Noumea (NOU) and Paris (CDG) is 9008 nautical miles.
For long distance flying you typically add about 3.5% to that to allow for the distance penalty that following published airway routes incurs.

The latest A350-900 is now certified to a higher weight than the A350-900 ULR version was at that time.
There still are a few hurdles to clear (e.g. overflying Russian airspace) but with Airbus and RR Trent XWB 84 performance improvement packages (PIPs) the airline might think they have a fighting chance.
As chances are far from certain, they may prefer for the time being not to talk about flying the route non-stop.

B

All eyes are on Australia

There could be some explicit French govt. subsidy to support the economic viability of that flight to Paris

The A350 is a flying piece of flaming garbage, like all Airbuses.

I would say Aircalin does order 2 Airbus A350-900s. Because Aircalin wanted to use either Airbus A350 or a Boeing 787-9.

Want about either a Noumea to Singapore with Singapore Airlines

Or
A Noumea to Los Angeles with United Airlines

Or
A Noumea to San Francisco with American Airlines

Flaming garbage? You’re confused. It’s the 787 that burns.

@Tim Dunn

The A350ULR has extra fuel tanks it's not only about MTOW.
The regular A350-900 has between 108.3t to 110.5t for fuel
The A350ULR goes with 129.5t