The operator of New Caledonia’s La Tontouta International Airport announced on Sunday that the airport will remain closed until June 2 following the breakout of violent protests in response to the proposed constitutional amendment by France’s National Assembly on May 17.

The High Commission of the Republic of New Caledonia also announced the airport’s closure, which has not operated commercial flights since May 15, and indicated that the possibility of resuming travel would be reevaluated at the end of the week.

New Caledonia, a French territory in the South Pacific about 1,500 km east of Australia, has been under French control since the 1850s. The proposed constitutional amendment by France’s National Assembly aims to allow French residents who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years to vote in local elections. Currently, the 1998 electoral system restricts voting rights to natives and those who moved to New Caledonia before the 1998 Nouméa Accord, along with their descendants. Pro-independence supporters are contesting this change because they fear it would marginalise the indigenous Kanak people, who have already suffered from discrimination during colonisation.

French President Emmanuel Macron declared a state of emergency in New Caledonia on May 17 in response to the violent protests breakout. The protests resulted in almost 200 arrests, dozens of injuries and at least four deaths since May 17. As part of this state of emergency, the High Commissioner published a press release extending the ban on public gatherings and extending the curfew throughout the territory of New Caledonia. While the state of emergency in New Caledonia will be lifted at 5:00 AM local time on Tuesday, state services will still be mobilised to maintain public order. The ban on the carrying of weapons and the sale of alcohol would also remain throughout New Caledonia.