As about two thirds of the world’s fleet has been grounded by the Covid-19 pandemic, Fly CoralWay, Wallis and Futuna’s future company, made its first (virtual) flight from Toulouse, France, where Airbus’ workshops are located, bound the South Pacific.
Inaugural e-flight
All along the way to Hihifo airport, on Wallis island, the Airbus A220-100 (the first plane option for the future fleet, the second one is an Embraer E190-E2) flew over Dubaï, Maldives, Sydney’s opera house, New Caledonia before heading east towards Tahiti, and completing its inaugural -e-flight with a stop over in Pago Pago, American Samoa, and a final landing in Wallis and Futuna.
Screenshot of Fly CoralWay’s virtual A220 departing from Pago Pago, American Samoa. Credit : Fly CoralWay Facebook account.
Boost the local economy
The airline Fly CoralWay project has been developed by Louis Alphonse, a Wallisian entrepreneur. The businessman “wants to boost the economic and social opening of Wallis and Futuna, and bring to the locals a real structuring tool of development, creator of wealth,” the airline website says.
Regional network
Fly CoralWay intends to operate regular services between Wallis, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Fiji (Nandi), Samoa (see mam below). The future carrier has also identified possible seasonal destinations such Vanuatu, Fiji (Suva, Hawaii, Tonga or the Cook Islands.
Routes map of Fly CoralWay’s future routes. Credit : Fly CoralWay.
Last week, the company filed an application for a Carrier Certificate with the French authorities. An additional step for Fly CoralWay in the process to become a real airline with the organization and procedures validated by the french Civil aviation.
Screenshot of Fly CoralWay’s virtual A220 flying over Bora Bora, French Polynesia. Credit : Fly CoralWay Facebook account.
Fly CoralWay plans to start operations in May 2021. However, this seems unlikely given global health and economic situation.
- Main photo > Screenshot of Fly CoralWay’s first virual flight passing over Sydney’s opera house. Credit : Fly CoralWay Facebook account.
