Location
Located in the municipality of Païta, approximately 52 km northwest of Nouméa.

Construction
Built prior to the war.

Wartime History
In 1942, it was a 5,000' runway, used extensivly by the Americans during the early stages of the war. Tontouta Airfield was the final refueling stop on the aircraft ferry route from Hawaii to Australia. In Mid-1943 a USAAF Service Command Unit was based here.

Units bassed at Tontouta
VMF-212 (F4F) June 9, 42 - July 2, 42 Tontouta and Efate
13th AF
347th FG 67th FS (P-39) Feb 27, 42 - April 24, 43 to Kila & Milne Bay
USAAF Service Command

Postwar
After the war, the airfield was used by the French military, known as New Caledonia Air Force Base. Squadron l'Aeronavale 9S (French Navy) was based at the airfield, flying Avro Lancaster bombers as late as 1960.

Today
Still in use today, known as La Tontouta International Airport or Nouméa - La Tontouta International Airport (In French: Aéroport de Nouméa - La Tontouta). Airport code: NOU / NWWW. It is the main international airport on New Caledonia, serving the city of Nouméa. In 2006, 415,813 passengers used the airport.

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