New Caledonia's international airline has carried out a pleasure flight for more than 100 passengers keen to take to the skies.
Noumea airport at La Tontouta New Caledonia Photo: RNZ Walter Zweifel
Using an Airbus, Aircalin did a two-and-a-half hour scenic flight over some of the most spectacular beaches and sights at low altitude .
It also flew to Tanna's Yasur volcano in Vanuatu.
Tickets for the one-off flight had sold within hours, prompting the carrier to plan another such scenic flight on Valentine's Day.
New Caledonia's borders have been largely closed for almost a year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last November, travel restrictions were extended until at least July this year.
The territory has remained free of community transmission of Covid-19, with all cases detected in quarantine facilities.
New Caledonia reef off west coast Photo: RNZ Walter Zweifel