New Caledonia-based carrier’s second A350-900 is due to arrive in mid-2028.
Aircalin will take delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 in December, with a second scheduled to arrive in mid-2028.
The New Caledonia-based airline, which operates two Airbus A330-900s and a pair of A320neos, says its first A350 (MSN830) has completed its paint job at Airbus’ facility in Toulouse and will arrive in Noumea in December. It features a new blue, red and orange livery.
Aircalin plans to deploy its A350s on its Noumea-Paris route, via Bangkok.
Financing for the first A350 – as well as refinancing of Aircalin’s A330neos – was provided by a consortium of banks led by Natixis, supported by the French government’s tax incentive scheme for overseas investments and Balthazar Finance-backed funding.
“This deal highlights the effectiveness of the Balthazar-backed financing combined with the French tax incentives framework in the aviation sector, as well as the ability of our team to assist financial institutions in the implementation of innovative financing solutions that support fleet renewal and the continued development of air transport,” says Philippe Monfort, a partner at law firm Watson Farley & Williams, which advised Natixis.
Aircalin in late 2024 emerged as the customer behind a previously-undisclosed order for the two A350-900s. It said at the time that it would configure the aircraft with 320 seats in a three-class layout. Like the A330-900s, the A350s are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent engines.
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