Demonstrators on Mare have been blockading the airport for a fortnight and calling for domestic carrier Air Caledonie to cut air fares.
Different groups on the island are also involved in a long-running dispute over land ownership, which means many roads have been blockaded as well.
Last Saturday, an attempt to break through one of those blockades led to a riot and an exchange of gunfire, which killed four people.
Despite mediation efforts and the weekend’s violent clashes, protesters are vowing to stay at the airport.
Youths from rival groups in Mare have also clashed in Noumea, leading to the hospitalization of one person.
But reporter Anne Pitosiet has told Pacific Beat some parts of the Mare airport are now running again.
“You can go to the airport at Mare, but what they are blockading is the Air Caledonie planes,” she said.
“So the military planes can go to Mare, and Lifou, and private planes can go to Mare and Lifou. but Air Caledonie planes cannot enter or go out from Lifou or Mare,” Pitosiet said.
